Lebron James is looking to restore the winning culture the Los Angeles Lakers and their fans have become accustomed to as 16x NBA Champions. In their first game, that took place last Sunday evening against the Denver Nuggets, the new look Lakers lacked structure and the new additions to the team seemed unclear about their roles as they lost, 124-107.
Now, the new-aged Showtime Lakers are looking to play as a unified front in their second preseason back-to-back game against the Nuggets and Lebron started things off with a bang with this electrifying fast break slam dunk.
Lebron James lead the Lakers in points with 13 on 5/6 shooting with three assists before calling it quits and not returning to the game in the second half.
Lakers Lose Their Second Straight Preseason Game But Make Vast Improvements
The Denver Nuggets were able to secure their second straight preseason game this year against the Lakers beating them in a last-second win, 113-111. Fortunately, there were some bright spots for the Los Angeles-based basketball club. In their second game together, this new-look Lakers team was able to play a more fundamentally sound game on both ends of the court.
The Lakers collectively played with a higher level of defensive intensity and executed smoother offensive transitions in combination with unselfish play that allowed all five players to get multiple touches and looks at the basket. Their lack of blown defensive assignments early in the game kept the Nuggets sharpshooters at bay and allowed the team to maintain a high level of energy on the defensive side of the ball until late in the game, where the Laker reserves failed to close out the game.
Rondo, Stephenson, & Hart Amongst Standout Laker Performers
Rajon Rondo shot a surprising 3/3 from three-point land while Lance Stephenson entertained the crowd with a plethora of crossovers, acrobatic layups, and his signature galloping dribble down the court. Josh Hart who started the game for the Purple and Gold, also added some contributions of his own with 14 points on 4/13 shooting.
Lebron James not only provided fans with a glance of what’s to come in the future in his Staples Center debut, he let it be known that will be the motivational anchor for the Lakers moving forward. Despite the loss to Denver for the second straight time, the possibilities are endless for this young yet experienced Lakers core.
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