SAN FRANCISCO — The Lakers’ journey to Northern California displayed the duality of preseason basketball.
Because for as good as Monday evening felt, Tuesday evening was equally as dreadful.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick and famous person guard Luka Doncic have been inspired by the team’s preseason play so far. NBAE via Getty Images
Within 24 hours, the Lakers went from trying like world-beaters against a Kings team that’s expected to end the 2026-27 season toward the backside of the NBA standings to getting run out of the fitness center by a Warriors team that’s combating to keep related behind growing old four-time NBA champions Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
The up-and-down nature of the last few days epitomized why making grand conclusions from preseason exhibitions about a team’s full-season outlook is a silly train.
Ziaire Williams (left) is among the Lakers being relied on to choose up the defensive depth. Getty Images
Player availability adjustments nightly, which was the case for the Lakers when Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle and Collin Sexton sat out against the Warriors.
Both groups only have a handful of coaching camp practices before having to play against another opponent and are fortunate if they’re in a position to crack a double-digit quantity of practices before the common season begins.
In order phrases, no team is — or at least should be — at its greatest during preseason.
But what preseason exhibitions should present is an perception into what a team has been focusing on since placing collectively its roster over the summer season and honing in on since practices formally started as summer season turned to fall.
And for the Lakers, proof of idea was offered when they performed the Kings. On Monday, LA at least had a affordable quantity of gamers accessible who’ll play significant minutes when the video games rely.
Yes, Kessler not taking part in either recreation meant the Lakers lacked the rim safety they coveted when they acquired the 7-foot-2 huge man from the Jazz. And it confirmed.
The Lakers will be a more aggressive, and higher, defensive team in contrast with last season. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
Reaves and Sexton being sidelined eliminated the team’s primary ball handlers behind Doncic.
But for at least one recreation against the Kings — and actually just the first half when Doncic performed — the Lakers showcased a glimpse of the team’s imaginative and prescient.
Ninety-four ft of full-court defensive strain, with Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, Quentin Grimes, Jake LaRavia and Adou Thiero all taking turns.
Increased defensive physicality and aggression, main to more deflections, steals and pressured turnovers.
“Especially with Matisse and Ziaire, [the defense at the beginning] of the game [against the Kings], that’s contagious for everybody,” Doncic said. “It was inspirational.”
The offense will proceed to revolve around Doncic — and Reaves once he’s in the lineup.
But the how will look completely different, with Doncic working off the ball more to begin possessions before utilizing his teammates’ screening to come to the ball, which weaponizes his offensive gravity.
“You can look at any game, or any practice, and find good stuff to build on,” coach JJ Redick said. “So, yes, it’s encouraging.”
An encouraging begin to the preseason isn’t the be-all, end-all, but the basis and expectations are set.
And once they’re in a position to get more of their primary gamers on the courtroom, these expectations will only rise.
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