5 Things: lakers Beat nets for 1st Preseason Win

While it shouldn’t, these sort of things matter. At least in Laker Land they do. Generally a fanbase is pretty blase’ about their respective teams’ W/L record during camp and preseason. Lakers fans need look back to just over a decade ago when Mike “The Notebook” Brown wen’t 0-fer in the preseason which bled into the regular season and he was subsequently canned. So, in a way, it’s a relief that the first “win” is out of the way, however meaningless it truly happens to be. Which brings us to the Lakers/Nets game last night, let’s dig in.

1. The brave new world of the made three pointer. The Lakers shot the three ball well with the group they started with (D-Lo, Reaves, Prince, james and AD) at 13-23 (good for 56%). While I don’t expect Prince to start games (mainly because he is a fouling machine out there…) it was nice to see the offense operate as a well-oiled machine. Overall the bench was a little more off the mark (7 of 32 aka 21%) which led us to an overall 36ish% from beyond the arc and, in particular, the rookies struggled mightily. All in all, a fairly promising showing in that department. Still, i was glad that Coach Ham went out of his way to mention that living and loving the paint are the bread and butter of the team.
2. The elusive 5th starter. Prince was a surprise for many (but really all one had to do was look at the injury report and see that Vando was sitting out due to heel soreness along with Cam who had a sore ankle). Some may clamor to start Rui but I don’t see that happening, at least not out of the gate this season. It feels like Vando’s job to lose at this point. I base that on the following observations: Prince is a fouling machine on defense which means his role will have extreme limits on this team, yes he made some threes last night. Won’t move the Ham Needle, or mine. Rui makes so much sense off the bench. He can backup three different positions against most opponents: either forward and center. Vando can set a tone, try and lock down the other team’s best scorer, and I believe he can make enough threes to help keep the defense a little more honest.
3. LeBron and Reaves debut. Reaves has been eased into the season after his lengthy stint with USA basketball. He didn’t look like he missed a beat last night making the kind of smart, smooth plays we’ve become accustomed to. LeBron looked like an elder statesman easing his way into the season. That’s fine and frankly it’s exactly what he should be doing. I won’t be surprised if both players miss the next game, or at least LeBron. In general, the first rule of preseason is get everyone out healthy.
4. AD looks locked in. Everything is working right now for the Lakers cog. AD is the essential gear that makes this whole machine work. If he’s on, we hum. When he’s off, we grind and skid. His defense last night was superb, highlighted by 3 blocks. he shot with confidence and determination, not nearly as much waffling when he got the ball. This kind of showing needs to be his status quo, his modus operandi for the entire season.
5. Laker Kids nearly coughed it up. Which wouldn’t have mattered all that much…except because they didn’t it can prove to be a valuable learning step and a confidence booster, as well. Nothing has really changed my perception that Max will be the only Laker Kid with a role of significance, if we need any of the others it means somebody is hurt. JHS and Hodges both struggled mightily with their shot and that unit couldn’t defend a rock stuck in cement but they gritted it out, which is admirable.

Honorable mention goes to Lonnie Walker the iVth who looked like he had one thing on his mind: Beat LA.Also, that Ben Simmons dude played Cool. Hope he’s right top to bottom, inside and out.