The Lakers are going to have to answer a lot of questions. Can they get back to defending? Can they find “spacing”? Can they avoid injury? Even healthy, is their “Big Three” viable?
So many questions that depend more or less directly on their five major. And, for now, Darvin Ham seems to be going with the idea of keeping Russell Westbrook as a starter alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with Kendrick Nunn and Damian Jones to accompany them in the in-between.
“Today Kendrick was on fire”explains Austin Reaves, who is also aiming for a starting place. “I don’t think he missed a shot all day. »
Darvin Ham has also been impressed with the former Heat back, who was unable to play last campaign.
“It’s almost like he’s a new player, a free agent for us. I told him he was going to be very important in what I’m trying to do. He accepted it and you can see that by his level so far. »
No pure 3-point shooters in the five
At the pivot position, it is therefore Damian Jones, already briefly passed by the Lakers in 2020/21, who holds the rope to accompany Anthony Davis, in order to bring some deterrence near the circle.
“Damian is a very athletic young player”, explains Darvin Ham. “He runs like a gazelle. He can jump up to the ceiling. He is really someone who is turned towards the defense. He tries to protect the circle. He sets good screens. He cuts hard towards the circle. He creates a constant threat near the basket. And again, he brings a defensive presence to the painting. »
With the return to form of Anthony Davis, and therefore Damian Jones, Darvin Ham can hope to see the Lakers’ defense return to a correct level, if the outsiders (Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, etc.) also do their job. It remains to be seen the question of “spacing” since there would be no 3-point specialist in the five major.
