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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; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) reacts after scoring a three point basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) reacts after scoring a three point basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Second Unit Is A+ Entertainment

For years, Kobe Bryant has been worth the price of admission alone for the Los Angeles Lakers. His scoring outbursts kept fans in the seats, and the potential of something awesome happening still draws people to Staples Center.

The focus has shifted now to the young talent: D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. That core is the future of the team, so fans flocking to the gates or flipping on League Pass to get a glimpse of the development there is no surprise.

But don’t sleep on this Lakers second-unit. Given some time to gel, it could be one of the more exciting groups that the Lakers have had in a while.

Lou Williams is the clear sixth man – he played 27 minutes, one more than D’Angelo Russell – and he brought a ton of firepower last night. The top bench player in the NBA last season, Williams settled into his familiar role for the Lakers, knocking in 21 points, including a pair of threes.

Nick Young continued his “Swaggy P” antics, pouring in 14 points on the strength of four three-pointers. Oh, and he also made this ridiculous shot with time winding down in the first quarter of the game:

Aside from the two bench fixtures, Marcelo Huertas continues to look like one of the most fun players to watch on anyone’s second unit. Though he only played 13 minutes, some of his passes look like clips out of an And-1 mixtape, and he provides plenty of potential highlight moments.

The best part: not only are these guys fun to watch, they are good too. Every member of the Lakers’ bench had a positive plus/minus except for Huertas, who finished with a -3 mark.

Next: NBA Power Rankings: Opening Week

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