Lakers: 3 Takeaways From Sloppy Loss to the OKC Thunder

Oct 30, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) handles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) handles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
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Going small only works sometimes

Oct 30, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Tarik Black (28) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Tarik Black (28) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

While going small worked for Luke Walton with the Warriors, the Lakers need size up front

Maybe bigs aren’t dead after all. The Lakers faced an Oklahoma City Thunder team with two starting-caliber centers.

Steven Adams, who is a monster on the defensive end, caused all kinds of problems for the Lakers. However, when Timofey Mozgov was on the floor, the bleeding stopped for a bit.

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The same could not be said for Larry Nance Jr. and Tarik Black, who struggled with Enes Kanter in the paint. The 6’11 big man out of Switzerland got virtually any shot he wanted with Black (6’9) and Nance (6’8) on the floor.

While he didn’t offer much on the defensive end, Kanter finished the game with 16 points on 73 percent shooting.

The Lakers will find themselves in a similar situation Tuesday with Indiana Pacers front court. Not only do they have one of the most promising young big men in the league in Myles Turner, but they also have the towering presence that is Al Jefferson.

Both Nance and Black have a ton to offer the Lakers, but the front office should strongly consider trading a piece or two for some size up front, or signing a big man free agent.

Larry Sanders anyone?

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