Los Angeles Lakers: Loss to Thunder Produces Positives
By Jason Oliver
The Los Angeles Lakers may have lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder but there are positives to come out of the 113-96 defeat.
This NBA season isn’t about wins for the Los Angeles Lakers. This season is about the future and finding a way to make sure that future involves trophies, rings, and parades.
“It’s a process” seems to have been reserved primarily for the Philadelphia 76ers but the Lakers can also lay claim.
Positive performances from the youngsters in a loss — like we saw on Sunday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder — are far more valuable this season than one of the veterans carrying them to a win.
Related Story: 25 Best Players to Play for the Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers had the arduous task of taming Russell Westbrook on Sunday and while they fell short of a W, it was an encouraging display nevertheless.
Coming off an 96-89 loss to the Utah Jazz where none of the young Lakers cracked double figures, D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson were all able to put their decidedly average performances behind them in a professional effort to push the Thunder for 43 minutes.
Randle, in particular, had a productive game finishing with 20 points and nine rebounds. Too fast and too strong for Domantas Sabonis, Randle hit five of his six shots for 14 first half points while forcing Sabonis to commit four personal fouls in seven minutes.
The 113-96 final score may suggest this game wasn’t close to the box score watchers but they are misguided. With 4:43 remaining in the fourth quarter, Nick Young hit a three to make it 91-95 before the Thunder ran away with the game late.
The Lakers hung in there, fought hard and above all else, improved as players.
Lakers coach Luke Walton praised his team’s effort after the game.
"“I love the way we competed tonight. The fact we cut it to four with four minutes to go shows to me, it shows growth.”"
Sticking tough and staying in the battle is more than most fans expected last season.
A regular complaint throughout 2015-16 outside of Byron Scott being Byron Scott was Kobe Bryant’s overbearing influence on games.
With Bean now watching from his couch, the young guys have been given the opportunity to claw their way back out of trouble and put the results of games on their own shoulders.
It’s up to one of Russell, Randle, and Clarkson to steady the ship when things get rough during games. Each had periods on Sunday that ensured the Thunder weren’t beyond reach until late in the game. It’s exactly what Lakers faithful wanted to see other than 2-1 in the record column.
With growth being the word of the day, Brandon Ingram showed he still has plenty to do.
Despite only shooting 3-10, Ingram was able to get to good spots on the floor and take good shots.
His form suggests the shots will eventually fall but on the other end of the floor, his length and speed will only take him so far.
Being caught ball watching and out of position will be something the Lakers coaching staff will be looking to eliminate this season as Ingram grows into an NBA force.
Looking for successes anywhere but the W/L column is going to be a regular occurrence this season.
Provided the losses mirror those to the Thunder game more than that of the Jazz, racking up L’s won’t be all bad.
As the losses inevitably accumulate and finding positives becomes tedious it must be remembered it’s only just beginning.
Growth is prevalent three games in but it’s up to players and staff to sustain it for 82 games and beyond.
Related Story: Lakers Winning Games Isn't Paramount
It’s a process.