Frankly, it’s not about the wins or losses but the habits that are formed in preseason. You want to see your best players looking ready to play their best. You want to see role-players who look hungry when put into a situation where that role expands. Above all you want to see the team play hard and just compete at a high level. All those boxes got checked last night.
- Davis looking dominant. Between his legs still coming back into shape from the bubble-2020-21 season grind to his wrist injury it has been awhile since AD looked like AD. This preseason looks different. He’s moving better, playing stronger, and he’s looking smooth in every facet of the game. The best indicator of his legs and arms being right in terms of shooting has been his return to elite status from the free throw line. Davis imposed his will on whomever the Warriors sent his way scoring inside and out, making plays on the defensive end, and generally showing everyone he’s back. Bring that game into the regular season, stay healthy, and the narrative around this team changes instantly.
- Kendrick Nunn making everyone a believer. I love how Kendrick has showed up this preseason. Looking fully healed from The Bone Bruise That Would Not Heal we are seeing exactly what the Lakers were missing all of last season. I love the idea of Nunn coming off the bench and being the first option in that unit as opposed to Russ or Beverley. Nunn can get his own shot, is excellent on catch and shoot plays, and is decent enough on defense to be included in potential closing line ups. As the first option of the bench unit he can just go out and play freely and get buckets without worrying about stepping on anyone’s role.
- Both Two-Ways should focus on improving in the G league. I like the potential in both Christie’s and Pippen Jr’s game, but I don’t need to see them work out how to make it work on the game’s biggest stage this season. Both are too raw for significant roles on the real team, for now, but could certainly see some spot duty later this season. Pippen is crafty with the ball and, like his Pop, has a solid all-around game minus the elite size/skill combo. Christie has the tools and mind set of a potential elite defender but just needs to get reps in everything we’re doing which is exactly what the G league is for. Both can use time just getting shots up at real game speed.
- Thomas Bryant looking free and fiery. I just love how Thomas Bryant attacks the game of basketball. I well remember all the talk about his skills and abilities while he languished on the Laker bench only to see him get away for nothing (a common theme for the Laker front office) and sign with Washington. Back again but with some NBA pedigree and a fire that missing most of a season (but with a summer of work) gives a player, Bryant is the best player to start, in my opinion. It gives the first unit someone who wants to get down the court on the break every play. That’s not LeBron, anymore, and I want AD in the paint on defense as much as possible for altering shots and rebounding. Bryant is fast, he can score in a variety of ways in the paint with athletic finishes or nifty jump hooks and he has a three ball to help in the half court. Jones just has a less dynamic game and he picks up fouls. Fast. Let him be a solid addition to the second unit and let’s go.
- Wenyan Gabriel trying to stick. I like Wenyan’s hustle and he has the physical tools to be an impactful defender. He had some real nice plays last night but his attention to detail can wane, often in key moments when he gets caught looking. He’s still raw (77 NBA games played in total, not even a full season’s worth) and he needs the right role to give him the best chance to succeed, however. Is that on this team? We need guys with size and he’s quick enough to hang with most wings. I can see him being the primary backup to AD or I can see him as the 15th guy on the bench. He doesn’t have a great stroke but he’s athletic. I would put him in with the best second unit guys and see what he has early but could see his minutes go to someone with a more developed and specialized skillset (Ryan, Christie or Harrison, should he make the team over Ryan).
Kudos to Matt Ryan showing everyone who can shoot. Took 9 threes, made six and hit a couple from the stripe. Shaquille Harrison is making more money (due to service time) and is a far better defender but Ryan has the ability to suck a defense out of the paint when he’s hot, as he was last night. We’re talking about the last guy on the roster unless Gabriel is waived, which I don’t see happening but certainly could, so it’s not a team altering choice. Basically comes down to what coach Ham values more: shooting or defense.
Nice 5 Jamie, I like a Bryant as well. But AD has seen the majority of his minutes at the 5. In a way it makes sense because LeBron hasn’t looked good defending the wing the last couple of years. I think we will bet a better view of what coach Ham is thinking over the next couple of games. As for Ryan, that was a great breakout for him. If can bring that over the next couple of games I could see the Lakers signing him to a non guaranteed contract where they have a couple of months to evaluate him. They could always cut him if a favorable trade arises. Shooting is one of the team’s biggest needs and if he can shoot consistently it wouldn’t be any worse than trading for Buddy. Plus he is 6’ 7” which doesn’t hurt either. As for Nunn, while I expected him to be good but he has exceeded my expectations. For a guy that has missed an entire year, he looks in mid season form. Heck he has looked even better then I thought he could. I also like him off the bench, but if we aren’t making enough 3’s early on I wouldn’t hesitate to add him to the starting 5. I havve no idea how many games this group will win in the loaded West. But if healthy they will play hard and should be an entertaining group to watch.
While I can see the logic of AD at the 5 I have a hard time seeing that work for a full 48. Not really because of Davis but because of how small the rest of the team is. Starting a big moves everyone down a slot and increases both the starting line up size and also the overall line up size. Still, could see Ham deploy AD, James, and 3 guards. Next two games will provide a little insight.
We saw how we struggled to win points in the paint and rebounds with AD and LeBron and three guards. Just more reasons to trade for Turner. We get great positional size advantage back and can go small or big.