1 - The defense still needs to improve. Whether is was defending off of screens or post-up isolation, the Lakers need to make better decisions (be crafty) to compensate for their lack of brute strength. Too often they found themselves stopping dead in their tracks when Phoenix big men would set screens usually leading to dribble penetration or open jump shots. Our front court defenders must be quick on their feet so they can beat their opponents to spots since we lack the physicality to move them in the paint. A lot of this comes from experience and they are getting plenty of it already. I think they'll be fine. KCP coming back from suspension should help as well.
2 - Brandon Ingram is a true small forward. He's too slow to defend at the 2 and not strong enough to play the 4. He was still having issues playing physical defense against other small forwards especially in the post but I'm sure he'll figure out how to use his crazy length to compensate for his feathery weight. BI had a solid game offensively at the 3 to the tune of 25 points. He's still learning how and when to be aggressive offensively given that 24 of those points were scored in the first 3 quarters. Progress nonetheless.
3 - Julius Randle is quickly becoming an afterthought. The solid play of Larry Nance, Jr. as the starting power forward and Kyle Kuzma's ability to score almost anywhere on the floor is starting to spell the former #7 pick's doom. What's worse is that Randle brings the flow of the offense to a screeching halt whenever he touches the basketball and his defense is less than noteworthy to keep him on the floor for extended minutes. When the game was still up for grabs in the final minutes, it was Nance and Kuzma sharing the PF duties while Randle was buried deep in Coach Walton's bench. Barring injury to Nance or Kuzma, Julius may not be a Laker for long.
4 - Brook Lopez is a keeper. (For the right price) He's not flashy and he kinda lumbers up and down the court but make no mistake the guy can flat out score. Whether it's a jump hook from the free throw line, a spin move fade away jump shot or a bomb from three point territory, he's a great option when the offense stalls since he can put the ball through the hoop in so many ways with very little help. He's not a great rebounder and he doesn't have the defensive presence of a DeAndre Jordan or Hassan Whiteside but he quietly gets the job done.
5 - Lonzo Ball is for real. He'll be cashing all the checks his dad wrote in no time. Lakers did a better job putting the rock in his hands and he got to show everybody why Magic Johnson was so dead set on drafting him. He had a few hiccups in this game but played like a veteran with the game on the line. He finished with almost a triple double scoring 29 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out 9 assists. Brandon Ingram missed a three-pointer that went in and out which would have given Lonzo his first triple double of his NBA career. What was more impressive was the fact he didn't look disappointed. I guess he'll just get it in his next game. Big Baller!
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