Greetings from Shanghai!
Here is what you need to know before the Lakers play the first of two preseason games in China against the Brooklyn Nets:
1) International LakeShow
The Lakers are back in China for the first time since October of 2013. On that occasion, L.A. lost back-to-back games to the Golden State Warriors, first in Beijing and then in Shanghai, the location of this morning’s matchup.
And yes, remember to set your alarm clocks, because the game starts at 4:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
2) The legend of LeBron and AD is just getting started
Anthony Davis made his Lakers (unofficial) debut on Saturday and took the fans’ excitement level to 11 with a majestic performance, dropping 22 points and 10 rebounds in just 18 minutes against the Warriors in San Francisco.
AD put on a show with five dunks in the first quarter, setting the tone in the 123-101 rout to get the preseason started on the right foot.
“He’s a monster,” Frank Vogel said after the game. “It’s going to be very difficult to slow him down with what we have around him. I’m excited about what he’s going to do, and Lakers fans should be too.”
LeBron James also played just 18 minutes, and the plan is that he won’t be burdened with heavy minutes in preseason. However, he’s expected to play against the Nets after having 15 points and eight dimes on Saturday.
3) Keep an eye on the new shooters…and changes in the lineup?
The Lakers scored 66 points in the paint against the Warriors, taking advantage of what the game gave them and injuries to a handful of Golden State’s centers.
However, with James and Davis dominating inside (with JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard not far behind), there wasn’t such a great need for outside accuracy. The team went 10-for-33 from beyond the arc.
Danny Green (2-5) and Troy Daniels (2-6) were in charge of providing spacing, and the offense looked more organized in the half-court, an encouraging sign for a team that finished second to last in 3PT% last season. Rajon Rondo and two-way guard Zach Norvell Jr. added a pair each.
Avery Bradley, who started on the wing with King James as the de facto point guard, went 0-for-3 from the field – something that didn’t distract from his suffocating defense on Stephen Curry. It’d be interesting to see if Coach Vogel sticks with him in the starting five, or if Alex Caruso, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope or Rondo get their turn. Stay tuned!
Injury Report
Lakers: Kyle Kuzma (stress reaction left foot), Talen Horton-Tucker (stress reaction right foot) and DeMarcus Cousins (torn left ACL) are out.
Nets: Kevin Durant (torn Achilles) is out.
Tip-Off: 4:30 a.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet in L.A. NBA TV nationally
Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 Tu Liga
Unis: Gold Icon
Location: Mercedes Benz Arena — Shanghai, China