Hoops Habit
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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 takeaways from preseason game No. 2

By Michael Dugger

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 02: Monte Morris 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 (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 02: Monte Morris 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 (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /

2. Lakers’ bench is deep with nice mix of youth and experience

The Lakers may not have the most talent-filled roster, but a second unit led by the previously mentioned Kyle Kuzma and Sixth Man of the Year candidate (according to Magic Johnson, at least) Jordan Clarkson could keep this bench unit around the top of the league in terms of scoring a season after leading the NBA in scoring with 47.1 points a game.

Kuzma and Clarkson will likely lead bench players in minutes played, but they’re not the only ones who will make an impact. Point guard Tyler Ennis has impressed in the preseason so far with his pick-and-roll work and ability to set up teammates in the half-court. Ennis plays the up-tempo style desired by the coaching staff, and is the lone true point guard on the bench.

Ivica Zubac started the game against Denver and struggled mightily, but he will come off the bench when Brook Lopez returns to the lineup and offers some nice offense for a second unit. Rookie Thomas Bryant saw his first preseason minutes this game and was visibly active on both sides of the ball. Bryant is raw, but has some upside with his athletic frame and shooting ability in development.

Larry Nance Jr. is the most experienced big on the bench after Andrew Bogut and should alternate backing up Lopez along with Bogut and Zubac. Elder statesmen Corey Brewer and Luol Deng, who scored nine points apiece, will get minutes depending on how competitive the team is, but Brewer can still defend and hustles hard on both sides of the floor. Deng and Kuzma looked good together with both being interchangeable at the 3 and 4.

The Lakers bench doesn’t have a strong bucket-getter like in recent seasons with Lou Williams, but blends together a bunch of youth (especially when Josh Hart returns) with some veterans that will provide some late-game rallies like we saw Monday night. And the group will improve throughout the year as the young players gain minutes as the season progresses.

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