Los Angeles Lakers: Player evaluations from preseason opener

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Anthony Davis and LeBron James looked like the best one-two punch in the NBA.

AD went out during the first half of the Lakers preseason game against the Warriors and showed that he’s not only the top player on the Purple and Gold, but he’s going to vie for the title of the best player in the league.

Davis dropped a cool 22 points in 18 minutes. He scored out of the post, from mid-range, off of lob passes, and by getting offensive put-backs.

Even though James was the Lakers second best player, he still controlled the game with 15 points and eight assists.

LeBron James abused the Warriors at the rim.

LeBron confirmed that when he can operate with a spread floor, he’s still nearly impossible to stop with just one defender. James picked the Warriors small lineup apart with his bull-rush drives to the rack and also with a much improved post-up game.

On defense, LeBron looked surprisingly spry. He moved his feet well and looked much more agile than he did last season after he came back from injury.

Most fans thought that the foundation of the Lakers offense would center around AD and LBJ pick and roll action, but according to my unofficial count; AD and LeBron only ran two true pick and rolls together. Davis set some monster screens for LeBron which resulted in great looks for James at the rim, but most times “The Brow” didn’t roll to the rim off that action.

Davis did show great chemistry with Rajon Rondo as they ran multiple pick and rolls with great results.

It will be interesting to see moving forward if LeBron and AD choose to run pick and rolls with each other or if they continue to create individually for their themselves and their teammates just as they did against the Warriors.

Either way, Davis and James let the rest of the league know, that they better not go small against the Lakers because both men are too big, strong, and skilled to be stopped by short defenders.