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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 takeaways from opening night loss to Clippers

By Kenneth Teape

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after he is fouled by Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers during the first half of the Los Angeles Lakers home opener at Staples Center on October 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after he is fouled by Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers during the first half of the Los Angeles Lakers home opener at Staples Center on October 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 takeaways from opening night loss to Clippers
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 19: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the LA Clippers on October 19, 2017 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Chemistry Lacking

Training camp and the preseason are the best time for teams to build chemistry and cohesion. Unfortunately, the Lakers missed out on a lot of those chances. Lonzo Ball’s ankle injury knocked him out for a while, Andrew Bogut battled injuries and Brook Lopez was hurt at the start of training camp.

The Lakers projected starting lineup did not play a single second in the preseason. Ball and Lopez never took the court together because of injuries. The starting lineup tonight of Ball, Ingram, Deng, Nance Jr. and Lopez didn’t get many minutes together outside of practice and it showed against the Clippers.

The Lakers would shoot an underwhelming 40.7 percent from the field. They struggled from deep, making only 4-of-16 three-point attempts. There was some hesitation on offense, as players were thinking more than reacting on the court.

Like anything else, the chemistry will come on offense the more they play. However, it will take some time for the Lakers. The rotation they used against the Clippers, and whatever they use tonight against the Suns, won’t be what they use in their third game once Caldwell-Pope returns to the lineup.

Next: Lakers: 3 Disappointments from season opener

The rotation is something Walton will have to tweak and adjust in the early going to find what combinations work. The first few games of the regular season will essentially be extended preseason for the Lakers based on all of the time players missed in training camp and in the exhibition games.

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