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

By Ronald Agers

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 4: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a pre-season game against the Sacramento Kings 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 4: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a pre-season game against the Sacramento Kings 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 04: Josh Hart #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers has the ball knocked put of his hand by Wenyen Gabriel #32 of the Sacramento Kings during the second half at Staples Center on October 4, 2018 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) /

3. Will the backcourt score?

"This will be very interesting considering Rajon Rondo and Lonzo Ball will not be playing. Now the spotlight will definitely be on the two guard spot featuring Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Josh Hart."

Aftermath…

Josh Hart is the starting two-guard in my opinion. Hart was aggressive with 17 points and five rebounds. But here’s the great stat if you are a Lakers fan, Hart went to the line for ten free throws. That is a very telling stat. That means Hart is looking for his offense with out wrecking the flow of the team concept. LeBron James will need players that can put their head down and create their own shot. Hart is comfortable going into the trees and drawing fouls.

"Let’s be clear here, Caldwell-Pope has been terrible in the first two games. If this continues, KCP might find his way out of the rotation. Josh Hart played extremely well in the second preseason game, scoring 14 points on an effective 6-13 shooting. If Hart just relaxes and trusts his jumper, his range will easily extend to the three point line."

Aftermath…

Caldwell-Pope played better, scoring 11 points including knocking down two free throws to seal the game at the end. He added six rebounds as well, but he still seems a little unsure at this point.

All told the Lakers got 48 points combined from the starting backcourt and around 60 points overall. Are we seeing a trend here? The last two preseason games, the backcourt contributed more and the offense was operating better coincidentally. Going forward into the season, look for this as a gauge of the Lakers offense. When the Lakers are scoring well check the box score for the backcourt.

Again, this can’t be stressed enough…Whatever this positionless basketball the Lakers are selling will work  ONLY if everyone is contributing on the offensive end. Good teams will isolate the guys who are not aggressive and will take advantage. The backcourt has to look for their offense and not look to LeBron James for everything. Against the Kings, Brandon Ingram did just that.

Speaking of Brandon Ingram…

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