Hoops Habit
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: 3 takeaways from their preseason opener

By Michael Dugger

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives Lonzo Ball NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives Lonzo Ball NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Defense will be a work in progress

One of the main themes a week into training camp has been an emphasis on the defensive side of the floor. The Los Angeles Lakers were a mess on that end all last season and there’s hope that extended minutes for Ingram, the signing of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Julius Randle’s new body change will improve their defense. But there’s still not much defensive potential on the roster to contain teams.

More from Hoops Habit

The Lakers made it clear they want to push the pace, which will inevitably result in giving up some easy transition baskets in the flow of play, so holding the Timberwolves to a 41.6 shooting percentage is a positive to take from this game. Minnesota made up for their poor shooting numbers by relentlessly attacking the rim, which resulted in 50 points in the paint and 35 free throw attempts.

This will be the main issue defensively for the Lakers all season. Not all teams are as deep as Minnesota in terms of perimeter talent, but their strategy of attacking Lonzo off the dribble with no true rim protector supporting him will be copied by most teams in the NBA.

Minnesota’s new point guard Jeff Teague was blowing by Lonzo all game. Teague was finishing in the paint himself or dishing it off for easy buckets consistently for the Timberwolves. Brook Lopez will offer some support at the rim, but the Lakers are not strong enough with their rotations at this point to pose a formidable threat.

Defense is possibly the hardest aspect of the NBA to adapt to, so I understand patience is needed when evaluating this Lakers team. But buckle in for a long season of constant isolation with opposing guards not covered by Caldwell-Pope taking advantage of their mismatch with Lonzo and the other guards.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers