Thought Starter...
It was probably unrealistic to think the Lakers would go 82-0 this year, but it was still fun to have an undefeated local squad to cheer for.
That’s over now, as the Lakers lose their first game of the season, 109-105 to the Suns in Phoenix. It was a game of very wild swings for the Lakers, who came out red hot, looking like they’d win in a blowout. The second quarter, only 14 points. The third? Back over 30! But things bogged down again down the stretch, and meanwhile the Suns rode the hot hands of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura continued their strong play, but the Lakers suffered from production problems in other places, especially with LeBron James. Playing under the weather, James had arguably his worst game as a Laker, finishing with only 11 points on 3-14 shooting, and adding only five rebounds in the ancillary categories. D’Angelo Russell missed seven of his nine 3-point attempts, and found himself on the bench for the final five minutes of the game, in favor of Gabe Vincent. Vincent, though, was part of a bench that produced only eight points. That’s four players, scoring eight points, and only taking 10 shots.
That’s just not enough.
3 Big Questions...
1. After four games, is there any reason to worry about LeBron’s legs coming off the Olympic summer?
2. What can the Lakers do to get more production out of the bench?
3. What did the season’s first loss reveal about JJ Redick?
