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Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant Shines, Fizzles In Opener

By Jackson Sanders

October 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) moves to the basket against the defense of Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) moves to the basket against the defense of Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert (17) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert (17) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Los Angeles Lakers Are Still Defenseless

Roy Hibbert was supposed to make a big impact on the Los Angeles Lakers’ defense. But, as we found out last night, one man cannot change the world — or at least, a defensively challenged basketball team.

Hibbert actually had a good Lakers debut (12 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks), but the defensive issues are going to be a work in progress for the majority of the year. That was apparent when Ricky Rubio – the owner of a career shooting percentage of 37.9 – torched them for a career-high 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting.

Rubio, who is only 25 years old, may have improved a bit as a shooter this offseason. However, I do not believe it is a coincidence that a date with the Lakers had him looking like the second-coming of John Stockton as he posted a 28-point, 14-assist night.

With a 20-year veteran in Kobe Bryant and two extremely inexperienced players in Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell a part of the starting lineup, defensive lapses are going to be present. The key will be the adjustments made by the coaching staff and the progress of the developing players to remedy the situation.

Next: Huertas & Swaggy & Lou

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