Lakers in China 2019

Mike Trudell

On the first day of Lakers practice, Frank Vogel promised to experiment with his lineups throughout the preseason.

Well, after three games, we know Vogel meant what he said, as he used a different groups of starters in the first three games, with only foundational stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis a constant.

Since the players and coaches did not do media sessions while the Lakers and Nets were in China, we’ve yet to hear
    Vogel’s reflections upon the various units, but he’ll surely talk on Monday in advance of that evening’s game
    against GSW at Staples.

However, we did get to watch how the units played together. Below are a series of observations of each group in
    respective first quarters:

Game 1(123-101 W at GSW): Avery Bradley, Danny Green, LeBron, AD and JaVale McGee

Game 2(111- 114 L at BKN in Shanghai): Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, LeBron, AD and Dwight Howard

The Lakers again controlled the glass, 11-6, though they had seven turnovers to BKN’s five.

Game 3(77-91 vs BKN in Shenzhen): Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Danny Green, LeBron and AD

The defense was solid: BKN managed just 8 of 21 FG’s (3 of 10 from 3) and got to the line only once, and also were
turned over eight times by the Lakers.

In sum, each of the units had their moments, but the original starting five at Golden State was the best.

Yet, how much of that was because of the energy and excitement to get things going in the opener after a long
offseason, vs. the challenge of playing in China after a long trip, one’s body expected to go full speed during typical
sleeping hours (It’s 7:30 p.m. in China when it’s 4:30 a.m. in Los Angeles)?

Vogel has three more games to tinker with his starters, not to mention his reserves, who’ve been without Kyle Kuzma
    (stress reaction, left ankle), Quinn Cook (sore left calf) and Jared Dudley (sore right quad).

We’ll see how much more experimenting the new head coach does, and when he decides to pick a group ahead of the Oct.
    22 season opener.

lakers-experiment-with-differing-lineups

Lakers Experiment With Differing Lineups

Joey Ramirez

SHENZHEN — Every precaution will be taken for Anthony Davis, who left the finale of the Lakers’ trip to China with a sprained right thumb.

The prized acquisition of L.A.’s offseason played only 12 minutes in Saturday’s 91-77 loss to Brooklyn. He will have his thumb tested upon the team’s return to Los Angeles.

Davis’ night began with a bit of intrigue, as coach Frank Vogel opted to have him start at center for the first time this preseason, alongside Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Danny Green and LeBron James.

While Davis’ night ended early at least in part due to his sprain, James also played only a dozen minutes and, like AD, scored six points.

With L.A.’s all-stars out of the game by halftime, Bradley led the team in scoring by hitting a series of mid-rangers to reach 14 points. He logged 30 minutes — 13 more than any other starter.

It was a rough showing for the Lakers’ offense as a whole. The team shot just 33.7 percent from the field and 5-of-32 on 3-pointers (15.6 percent).

On the other side, Caris LeVert led Brooklyn with 22 points.

The Lakers will have a quick turnaround when they are back stateside. Their next exhibition — against Golden State on Monday at STAPLES Center — will be within 48 hours of touching down at LAX.

lakers-conclude-trip-with-shenzhen-exhibition

Lakers Conclude Trip with Shenzhen Exhibition

Here is what you need to know before the Lakers play their second game in China against the Brooklyn Nets:

Alex Caruso (11 points, eight assists) was just shy of a double-double in 24 minutes of the bench and could get a chance to start this time around if Frank Vogel keeps shuffling the starting five.

The Texas A&amp;M product also chipped in three steals (the Lakers had 14 against the Nets) and looked just as efficient on the defensive end. His three-point shot looked good again, as he tries to prove that his team-leading 48.0% from last season (albeit in a small sample size) wasn’t a fluke.

Meanwhile, Rajon Rondo started and stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points (with a pair of makes from beyond the arc), five boards and six assists, and showed decent chemistry with former teammate Anthony Davis. Rondo’s 25 minutes were second only to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s 35 among the main candidates to be in the perimeter rotation.

Despite coming off the bench, JaVale McGee showed he’s ready to make an impact in whatever role he’s assigned. The veteran center was a highlight machine on defense, blocking five shots on top of his six points, 10 rebounds and three steals.

Dwight Howard got the starting nod on Saturday and played 19 minutes to McGee’s 18.

All in all, both big men look healthy and spry, and together promise to cover a good chunk of the minutes at the center spot once the season gets underway.

The Nets were +27 from beyond the arc after shooting 20-for-41 – with at least five players with 3 apiece – so that will surely be a point of emphasis for Vogel’s crew.

Having McGee and Howard drop back so often made it more difficult for the defense to recover and guard the perimeter properly. And despite Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Jordan being non-shooters, the Nets’ stretch 4’s (Rodions Kurucs and Taurean Prince) found themselves open often and made the Lakers pay.

On the other end, the Lakers shot a solid 11-for-29 (39.3%) from deep, in part buoyed by Caruso’s three makes. Caldwell-Pope’s appearance in the starting lineup also gave them better spacing, and it’ll be interesting to see if Vogel sticks with that rotation.

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) and Kyrie Irving (face) are out.

TV: Spectrum SportsNet in L.A. NBA TV nationally

Location: Shenzhen Universiade Center — Shenzhen, China

lakers-vs-nets-3-things-to-know-10-12-19

Lakers vs. Nets: 3 Things to Know (10/12/19)

SHANGHAI — Fans in China wanted a show, and the Lakers obliged.

From LeBron James’ fancy finishes to Anthony Davis’ textbook footwork, the Lakers dazzled throughout the night, treating a packed Mercedes-Benz Arena to some fireworks despite ending in a 114-111 preseason loss to Brooklyn.

James and Davis were, predictably, at the forefront of the Lakers’ second preseason game. Both players saw 25 minutes of court time, with LeBron leading all players in scoring (20), while AD chipped in 16 points and five assists.

Since the start of training camp, coach Frank Vogel has been steadfast about keeping James and Davis in the same lineups, while trying different pieces around them. This night was no exception, as the superstar duo remained in the starting lineup, but everything else changed around them.

Rajon Rondo, Kentavoius Caldwell-Pope and Dwight Howard joined the starters, while Avery Bradley, Danny Green and JaVale McGee came off the bench.

Rondo stood out among those moved, finishing with an 18-point, six-assist, five-rebound line. He splashed a couple of triples, but did most of his work inside, including off a cut on a nice feed from Davis.

Meanwhile, McGee was ultra productive in only 19 minutes off the pine. He never lacked for energy, packing six points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and three steals into his shifts.

With Davis, McGee and Alex Caruso (11 points, eight assists, three steals) leading the way, L.A.’s defense reached impressive heights. However, Brooklyn got hot beyond the arc, draining 20 triples on only 41 attempts.

Spencer Dinwiddie — in relief of Kyrie Irving, who suffered an opening-minute facial injury — led the Nets with 20 points and seven assists.

lakers-put-on-preseason-show-in-shanghai

Lakers Put on Preseason Show in Shanghai

lalewells

Here is what you need to know before the Lakers play the first of two preseason games in China against the Brooklyn Nets:

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!

Lakers in China 2019

Lakers Experiment With Differing Lineups

Lakers Conclude Trip with Shenzhen Exhibition

Lakers vs. Nets: 3 Things to Know (10/12/19)

Lakers Put on Preseason Show in Shanghai

3 Things to Know: Lakers vs. Nets (10/10/19)