The Lakers played five preseason games.
asserted
Lakers → play → games
They had more practices than they’ll have all season.
asserted
they → have → practices
So, what have we learned about the team over the last few weeks?
asserted
we → learn → weeks
With nine new players, the Lakers will have some kinks to work out.
asserted
Lakers → have → kinks
But there’s a lot to be excited about as Luka Doncic attempts to win the Purple-and-Gold their 18th title.
asserted
Doncic → ’ → title
The Big 3 has a ton of potential, but it’s going to take time
asserted
it → have → time
Don’t forget that it took the Lakers until last spring to figure out how to be successful with their Big 3 of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James.
asserted
it → forget → Doncic
Well, that process has begun all over again.
asserted
process → begin → ?
The Lakers are hoping they can figure things out much quicker this time around.
asserted
they → hop → things
Everyone has distinct roles.
asserted
Everyone → have → roles
Kessler should perfectly complement Doncic and Reaves with his elite rebounding and rim protection.
asserted
Kessler → complement → rebounding
That said, don’t expect them to figure things out overnight.
asserted
them → say → things
Kessler looked impressive in his preseason debut after playing in only five games last season because of season-ending shoulder surgery.
asserted
Kessler → look → surgery
He finished with 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting, nine rebounds, one blocked shot and one steal in the Lakers’ 101-89 exhibition loss to the Warriors on Tuesday.
asserted
He → finish → Tuesday
But Kessler was clearly shaking off rust against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in the Lakers’ 121-106 exhibition loss on Friday.
asserted
Kessler → shake → Friday
He was outscored by the three-time MVP 17-6, and Jokic finished with twice as many assists (eight) as Kessler (four).
asserted
Jokic → outscore → Kessler
That said, it’s obvious that Kessler is going to be a difference-maker for the Lakers when he finds his rhythm following what amounted to be a 347-day stretch between NBA games.
asserted
what → say → games
He’s well-liked.
asserted
He → ’ → ?
He’s a defensive powerhouse.
asserted
He → ’ → ?
And he’s incredibly driven after the Lakers emptied their cupboard to acquire him, giving up two first-round picks and two first-round picks swaps in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz on top of a four-year, $130 million deal.
asserted
Lakers → ’ → deal
“The support system around me with my teammates, the coaching staff, front office, they’re fantastic,” Kessler said.
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Kessler → ’re → teammates
“They’re very vocal about, obviously being a Lakers big, there’s a certain legacy with that, but not to look at it as pressure, more so as an opportunity.
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They → ’re → opportunity
So that’s kind of the attitude I’m going in with it.”
asserted
I → ’ → it
2. Time to get excited about Mamu
Sandro Mamukelashvili raises the Lakers’ offensive ceiling.
asserted
Mamukelashvili → get → ceiling
He has surpassed expectations this preseason.
asserted
He → surpass → expectations
He averaged 13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 55.6% from the field and 54.2% from beyond the arc.
asserted
He → average → arc
Lakers coach JJ Redick praised him for being a “really quick decision-maker.”
asserted
Redick → praise → him
Reaves added that “good things happen” when he brings the ball up the floor.
asserted
he → add → floor
“He’s a good basketball player, so we’re very excited for what he brings to the team,” Reaves said.
asserted
Reaves → ’ → team
Ziaire Williams has a lot of potential
Williams only played in two preseason games because of a left foot contusion, but he made quite an impression.
asserted
he → have → impression
He shot 5-for-5 from beyond the arc.
asserted
He → shoot → arc
He averaged 13.5 points.
asserted
He → average → points
And he showed glimmers of what he can do on the defensive end.
asserted
he → show → end
If the 25-year-old can become the reliable, athletic and lockdown perimeter defender the Lakers have desperately wanted, he could change their ceiling.
uncertain
he → become → ceiling
Williams is the type of player the Lakers need.
asserted
Lakers → need → player
And the competitive Lakers can give him the opportunity he has always wanted following two seasons with the flailing Nets.
asserted
he → give → Nets
This has the potential to be a great marriage.
asserted
This → have → potential
The Aporia
