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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images /

Lakers should aspire for Denver Nuggets’ ball movement

Coming into the game against the Denver Nuggets, I expected to see the Lakers get a real test in their defensive rotation progress by taking on a pass-happy Nuggets team with two of the best passing big men in the NBA. The first quarter saw the desired movement needed, as Los Angeles jumped out to an early lead and forced Denver into contested shots.

But this level of focus and communication wavered as the game went on and it showed on the scoreboard as Denver outscored the Lakers by 16 in the second and third quarters. Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic were moving the ball beautifully, which led to a series of open looks and probably served as a good indicator for why they shot 15-for-27 from deep.

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This type of ball movement is needed to create shots for teams like Denver and the Lakers that lack multiple players that can create for themselves. Denver has figured out how to build an offense around Jokic’s phenomenal passing ability, which helped them finish third in the NBA in scoring and assists per game a season ago. They will be among the league leaders again this year.

These offensive numbers are a product of sharing the ball and it’s great basketball to watch when Denver is pinging the ball across the court. I know Luke Walton is trying to implement this type of system into the Lakers, but it takes time to teach young players how to play this way successfully in the NBA.

Though two preseason games though, the Lakers half-court offense has been tough to watch. Players are standing around the perimeter waiting for something to come out of the pick-and-roll, or take a contested shot late in the shot clock. Moving the ball like the Nuggets did on Monday should be something the Lakers take into their next matchup on Wednesday.

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