Los Angeles Lakers: Three To Watch Early In Camp

Very soon we will have some real basketball to talk about when it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers. Real dribbles, actual decisions, and genuine results. There will be more pieces to cut apart and rearrange, and more evidence for what we can expect in the upcoming season.

Until then, we have roster lists and speculation. And with this year’s Laker team, there is actually something to it. There are opportunities for players to step into roles. As of right now, the only guy who is guaranteed to be a fixture in the starting lineup is Kobe Bryant. The rest of the spots could fluctuate based on performance.

So, as we continue to move towards the opening of camp, there are plenty of players to monitor in terms of their standing in the rotation. There are fringe guys that could end up playing a role, and there are veterans who need to show something in order to inspire some confidence going forward. Here are three that I will be watching in the early stages of training camp.

Keith Appling, Guard

Appling was not selected in this year’s NBA Draft, and barely saw any run with the Portland Trail Blazers in the summer league in July. So why is he on this list as a training camp invite with a non-guaranteed contract?

Simply put, he is the kind of kid that you need in camp. As a big time player from a powerhouse program at Michigan State, Appling has experience, and he has been a part of winning tradition. To change the culture for the Los Angeles Lakers, or at least prevent it from declining any further, the coaching staff must get these types of players on board.

So, I will be watching how Appling competes, and I will be rooting for him to make the squad. Admittedly, there is not a ton of room for him on the initial roster. With possibly three point guards likely to reside on the finalized roster, there is just not a ton of room here. Instead, I will be looking for him to come in and compete, and possibly make a lasting impression that way.

Jordan Hill, Forward/Center

The big thing with Hill will be his conditioning as he attempts to claim the starting center gig all to himself.

Hill’s a beast on the boards, and can put up some eye-popping numbers when given the chance. However, he has been more effective as an energy player that plays in spurts.

If he can prove to the coaching staff that he can carry the load with starter’s minutes, and Hill should be trying to do so with that fat new $9 million dollar per-year contract, then we could be talking about him being a breakout player in the upcoming campaign.

As an aside, it will be worth watching the competition between Jordan Hill and Ed Davis, and if that competition can manifest itself in a production boost for the duo of big men. This is the most crucial camp battle to watch for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.

Jeremy Lin, Guard

Lin has had his name thrown around as a contender for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. First he will probably need to crack the starting lineup, something that he currently has not done according to coach Byron Scott.

So, we all should be watching Lin’s dedication to defense. That will get him playing time, and if he can grab minutes, he should produce offensively alongside Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer, and the rest of the Lakers this season.

Lin is another player who finds himself in something of a competition for a vital position for the Los Angeles Lakers, and he will be competing against a brittle Steve Nash for minutes. Nash, who has never been known for his defense even in his prime, should not make much of an impact defensively, so if Lin can improve enough on that end he should have an edge on the elder Nash.