Top Four Takeaways From Lakers Training Camp
With the Lakers starting their preseason today, all eyes have been on training camp with the new-look squad, who are all motivated to succeed given the team’s lackluster last season. From players’ comments to videos from their social media pages, fans are optimistic that this year’s team will rebound nicely.
Here are the top four takeaways from Lakers Training Camp.
A New Sheriff in Town
From the moment he was hired, Darvin Ham announced a commitment to set the tone for the Lakers. So far, during training camp, he has delivered, with this image of squares on the court being a perfect example.
In his introductory press conference, Ham noted how the Lakers will be running a “4-out, 1-in” style of offense, an ideal move considering the versatility of LeBron James and Anthony Davis on that side of the floor. Though the Lakers do not have many shooters, their players are smart enough to make the right reads and find other ways to score. Additionally, he has emphasized that everything the Lakers do will revolve around defense first, a welcome change for a team that ranked 21st in Defensive Rating last season. Assistant coach Phil Handy also mentioned that the coaching staff will be tracking “kills”, or three defensive stops in a row, per game. All of this is a welcome sight for fans of a franchise accustomed to being near the top of the standings. It is only a matter of time before they have to measure up against the adage “Defense wins championships.”
Russell Westbrook’s Fit
Now that Russell Westbrook is back in the picture and forced to earn his starting spot, all eyes are on him to prove he can succeed with the Lakers. The clips of him so far have been promising, from joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis for a post-practice shootaround (and making some shots, too) to hustling for steals on defense during scrimmages. Still, he will have to adapt his game to what the Lakers really need: a floor general who goes all out on defense while creating the best opportunities for his team. He showed it in glimpses last season, but a full season of consistency from him could be a game-changer for the team as a whole. We’ll wait and see how Russ looks in preseason, but fans are turning over a new leaf and hoping he unleashes his full potential on the squad. They need it, but he needs it more.
The New Guys are Alright
The newest members of the purple and gold family have looked good so far! Footage from the Lakers’ open scrimmage on Saturday displayed constant energy with sprinkles of highlights, from Thomas Bryant’s emphatic dunk off a no-look dime by Austin Reaves, to Damian Jones’s otherworldly block…which also happened on Reaves. Troy Brown Jr. and Lonnie Walker IV have been hampered by injuries but should be good to go before the start of the regular season. Clips of Walker have surfaced on Twitter, showing his drives, defense, and shooting, leaving many fans excited about what he can bring to the table this season.
Patrick Beverley has been one of the most talked about players in camp, in large part due to his efforts on and off the court. Darvin Ham confirmed that Bev’s teams have won often in scrimmages, even beating out LeBron, Russ, and AD. However, his presence off the floor is just as important, as exhibited by this story with Kendrick Nunn.
Overall, the Lakers’ newest additions each bring something unique to the table, and it will be intriguing to see their fit next to James, Davis, and Westbrook.
A Good Starting Lineup (on Paper)
It’s been a whole week, but Darvin Ham revealed a potential starting group:
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Kendrick Nunn
SF: LeBron James
PF: Anthony Davis
C: Damian Jones
According to teammates, Nunn, who missed all of last season due to a bone bruise, has shown marked improvement in camp. The man who finished second in 2020 Rookie of the Year votes is hungry to prove doubters wrong and let his game do the talking. Jones, who had a cup of coffee with the team last season, returns better than ever. He brings athleticism and shot-blocking prowess that the Lakers lacked once he was waived.
Ham elaborated on his feelings towards Nunn in a post-practice interview, saying he looks “phenomenal. He had a really, really good day today. He’s been great. Shooting the ball well, making the right reads, defending.” He continued, “I told him he’s gonna be a big part of what I’m trying to do, and he’s embraced it.”
Of course, this starting lineup is subject to change, but based on Ham’s remarks, it appears to be a solid option for the team for now.
A Renewed Energy
Finally, the biggest takeaway over the course of camp has been a renewed energy from everyone, from the coaches and stars to the players on two-way and non-guaranteed contracts. Based on remarks in media availability and the limited clips of practices and scrimmages, you can just tell that this team is hungry to beat the odds and, as LeBron said time and again, “Strive for greatness.”
Two particular players that have shown new energies are Anthony Davis and Patrick Beverley.
During media day, Davis stated his goals of playing all 82 games. He elaborated on this in a Spectrum Sportsnet interview: “If I’m not, I don’t want it to be injury-based why I can’t play, so that’s my goal. I know the more I’m on the floor the more I can help my team.” Everyone knows that Davis is a crucial part of the Lakers’ success, as seen with his prolonged absences during last season. The fact that he is committed to staying healthy and doing whatever it takes to win is a fantastic sign for Lakers fans.
Pat Bev has also been a welcome addition to the purple and gold, setting the tone from the jump and bringing an intensity that, again, the team missed last season. Beverley’s play has certainly impressed Ham and his coaching staff, and his off-the-court impact and comments towards the media have shown that he is a key part of the culture change apparent this season. His intensity on defense combined with his scoring and facilitating on offense will have a major effect on the rest of the Lakers roster, being a capable veteran who brings his A-game every time.
Overall, the Lakers have shown glimpses of promise in training camp, from Ham’s unique schemes to players brimming with potential. Preseason will give us a better introduction at how this team fits on the floor, including where they can tighten loose ends before opening night.
