It may not be Pat Riley’s version of Showtime, but the Los Angeles Lakers have the pieces to re-create one of the best brands of basketball we’ve ever seen. Here is a rundown of what we could see this season. Ricky Rubio misses another jump shot; Julius Randle grabs the rebound passes the ball to D’Angelo Russell who leads the break, he looks to his right and sees Jordan Clarkson, to his left there is Brandon Ingram and right behind him is a trailing Luol Deng.
Ricky Rubio misses another jump shot, Julius Randle grabs the rebound, passes the ball to D’Angelo Russell who leads the break. He looks to his right and sees Jordan Clarkson, to his left there is Brandon Ingram and right behind him is a trailing Luol Deng.
As Russell crosses halfcourt, Zach LaVine steps in front, but Russell spins off, keeping control of the ball, Deng catches up and sets up shop behind the three-point line. Russell slows down, sends a dart to Ingram, who swings it back to Russell, just as he catches the ball at the top of the key, Randle whizzes by heading down the lane. Russell takes off to the left. Andrew Wiggins leaves Ingram to help double Russell, as the double comes Russell hits Randle in the lane with a perfect chest pass. Just as Karl-Anthony Towns attempts to draw the charge, Randle goes behind his back to a cutting Ingram who catches the pass and with one step powers home a thunderous dunk. 2-0 Lakers.
The Lakers are young and athletic and will be one of the few teams with enough depth to go small but still be big. With Mozgov out Randle can slide over to Center, Ingram can play PF, Deng, SF, Clarkson, SG and Russell, PG. The smallest Laker with that lineup on the floor will be Clarkson at 6-5, 195 lbs, and this will be their small-ball lineup.
If Luke Walton can get these guys to average around 85-87 shots per game, the Lakers will be entertaining to watch and with their speed and size, they will be a nightmare for any defense if the score can border the 100 point mark. The Lakers have shooters, with Russell, Deng, and Williams, defenders with Randle and Mozgov and players that love to get to the rim with Ingram and Clarkson. They may not be a complete team in the NBA, but on any given night, they can send you home with a loss.