Lakers fall to Warriors in season opener.
The Lakers' inconsistencies and lack of cohesiveness carried over from the preseason into their season opener loss to the Warriors, falling to Golden State 123–109 in a catchup play nightmare throughout the game.
“We had a lot of senseless turnovers, but it’s game 1. We have an opportunity to coach this team and tighten things up and get better," head coach Darvin Ham said.
Realistically, the Lakers will need time to gel and get more familiar with Darvin Ham’s new system. From the outside looking in, this game isn't a sign of what’s to come in the new season (Hopefully). We have to give them the benefit of the doubt about getting into a rhythm.
Coming into the season, it was known that the Lakers weren't a particularly good three-point shooting team, and they highlighted that in tonight’s loss with a 1-for-10 start from three in the first quarter.
The Lakers finished the night 10-for-40 (25%) from behind the arc as a team, demonstrating how desperate they are for outside depth.
The Lakers’ starting lineup vs. the Warriors from 1 to 5 tonight consisted of:
Russell Westbrook(PG)
Lonnie Walker IV (SG)
Patrick Beverly (SF)
LeBron James (PF)
Anthony Davis (C)
“We’re getting great looks, but it could also be teams giving us great looks. To be completely honest, we’re not a team constructed of great shooting. It’s not like we’re sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team,” LeBron said.
LeBron led the way with a team-high 31 points on 48% (12-for-25) shooting from the floor, adding 14 rebounds and 8 assists in 31 minutes played.
“That comes from a team that’s coming together for the first time, but I loved the way we competed." Once we get on the same page, we will know where guys are going to be. "(Things can improve),” LeBron added.
Anthony Davis started the night hot for the Lakers, scoring his first 10 points in under 9 minutes, showing his dominance on both ends of the floor with disruptive defense and low post offense before cooling off as the game pulled away.
“We need him to do that night in and night out,” said Darvin Ham.
Davis finished second on the Lakers with 27 points on 10-for-22 shooting from the field, adding 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and a block in 35 minutes.
“In this system, positions don’t matter. I felt good at the five, comfortable. "It's fine on both ends of the floor,” Davis said on starting at the five tonight.
During the TNT halftime, Hall of Famer and always outspoken Charles Barkley mentioned that the Lakers should trade Russell Westbrook then and there, saying both parties would benefit from the trade.
Westbrook was asked by the media after the game about the comments Barkley made, saying being in the NBA is a blessing and not taking it for granted.
“I’ve been tested my whole life." "Making it to the NBA is a blessing, and I don’t take it for granted,” said Westbrook.
Russell Westbrook finished third in scoring for the Lakers with a double-double, finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal in 30 minutes of action.
The Lakers will play their second game of the season back home in L.A. on Thursday against their hometown rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers, at 7 PM on ESPN and TNT.
