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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 strengths heading into 2017-18 season

By Anthony Santillo

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 9: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts his head on the shoulder of head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers as he waits to check back into the game with rest of his teammates D'Angelo Russell #1 Julius Randle #30 and Larry Nance Jr. #7 during the second half of the basketball game against Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center April 9, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 9: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts his head on the shoulder of head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers as he waits to check back into the game with rest of his teammates D'Angelo Russell #1 Julius Randle #30 and Larry Nance Jr. #7 during the second half of the basketball game against Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center April 9, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 strengths heading into 2017-18 season
TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 11: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Babineau/Getty Images) /

Playmaking Ability

This Lakers team might not have the superstar talent or depth that teams like the Warriors and Rockets have but they do have other valuable facets of the game. One of which being the playmakers on the roster.

This roster is filled with guys that can make amazing plays to excite the crowd and help fuel the team. Brandon Ingram is heading into his sophomore season and has already shown glimpses of improvement. He’s been working hard on his jump shot and has started to develop a post up game. He already showed signs last year with electrifying dunks like this one against the Pelicans.

Focus on the play against the Pelicans, look how he backs up before the screen comes, waits for the screen, splits the screen perfectly and then explodes off the dribble for a dunk with contact and the foul. These are the types of aggressive Kevin Durant-like plays we should expect to see a lot more of from Ingram this season.

Lonzo Ball is a born playmaker with the ball in his hands and has court vision that very few players have. Julius Randle is already a great passer for a big man and has transformed into a new player with his weight loss that will only make him quicker and improve his athletic ability. Brook Lopez has a very high basketball IQ and with Randle’s passing ability the two should flourish on the court together.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope adds a perimeter shooter to the team that will help spread the floor and clear space for guys like Ingram and Ball to attack and create plays for themselves or their teammates.

Off the bench, Jordan Clarkson is a great sixth man that can bring immediate offense. He’s very athletic and loves to get out and run. Kyle Kuzma looked amazing over summer and if he can play like that in the regular season the Lakers bench will be at the top of the league. Let’s not forget Larry Nance Jr. and his ability to dunk on anyone that stands in his path; I am sure he has already reminded Lopez of this dunk from last season. I mean even the Nets bench reacted when this happened.

Sorry Brook, but look at the bright side, now he’ll only be doing this to you in practice, where the world won’t see. If Nance Jr. can make his jump shot more consistent he’ll even more valuable to the Lakers.

This Lakers team is very young and talented and they need to use this to their advantage. They have the ability to run with every team in the league and might be better at it than most teams are. Combining that with the playmakers on this team can be a lethal combination.

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