Los Angeles Lakers: Takeaways from 128-123 win over the Kings

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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 4: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers rebounds the ball against the Sacramento Kings during a pre-season game on October 4, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Who’s playing the four and five on the back line?

"I’ll say it again…positionless basketball is nice to talk about, but the NBA is about matchups. The way things are going right now, I am on the record now saying that the Los Angeles Lakers are in trouble. Defensively, the Lakers cannot stop a soul down low when JaVale McGee sits down and they struggle even when he is on the floor."

Aftermath…

It was spotty at times early. JaVale McGee came back down to Earth a little bit scoring only two points in 20 minutes, but the Lakers wore down the Kings front line in the second half. Kyle Kuzma was aggressive and was pushing people out the way looking for his offense. His moves were crisp and he even got called for a traveling call that was NOT the case. Kuzma is a guy that has to get himself established by taking the ball to the basket…If you didn’t catch it the first time, LeBron James will put a spin on it…

The last couple of games, it seemed that Kuzma was not aggressive, just shooting the three ball. He can do that because he had one last night, but this is the Kyle Kuzma that the Lakers are looking for.

The Lakers out-rebounded the Kings 46-40. This is a important stat. As I have said since the preseason started, the Lakers have not done a good job on the defensive boards. The Los Angeles Lakers got to run their offense because of the strong presence on the boards…and Brandon Ingram (More on him later!) Marvin Bagley III had his moments, but the Lakers did what they was supposed to.

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