Lakers Training Camp Notes: Day Two

Avery Bradley
EL SEGUNDO, CA – SEPTEMBER 27: Avery Bradley #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the media during media day on September 27, 2019 at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)

Check out our notes on day one of training camp here

The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their second practice of the season today, following their first practice yesterday after Friday’s exciting media day. The first day saw the players and coaches discussing the immediate defensive emphasis, notes on the potential starting lineup, and discussion of Rajon Rondo being an off-ball, three-point complement to LeBron James and others. Day two saw some of the same, but with the addition of some training camp hype for a player who has already been rumored to maybe sneak his way into the starting lineup.

Avery Bradley starting to impress

It was reported during Friday’s media day that Avery Bradley could factor into the starting lineup, with more Bradley hype coming after today’s second practice via Frank Vogel’s comments.

If there’s a place where the Lakers may be weak, its the guard position where they’ll have to face the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Stephen Curry, and the rest of the extremely talented guards of the NBA.

Bill Oram of The Athletic also mentions that Bradley played alongside LeBron James and Dwight Howard — more on that later.

More emphasis on the defensive end

The theme of the first day of training camp was head coach Frank Vogel’s emphasis on defense. This isn’t surprising as he has always been defensive-minded coach, with his former Indiana Pacers always ranking near the top of the best defensive teams while he was there. The same sentiment continued today, with Danny Green and Dwight Howard preaching defense again.

Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet points out that an early defensive focus in training camp isn’t crazy, but what is crazy is the goal of being the best defensive team in the league which is what Dwight Howard thinks they can be (reported by Harrison Faigen/Silver Screen & Roll). Expect more of this, as the Los Angeles Lakers do have the tools to become an elite defensive team this year.

Time for some more starting lineup talk

There’s been much discussion on the potential 2019-20 Lakers starting lineup, with Lakers fans getting their first glimpse at what’s to come in the first practice. That first day of training camp saw Rondo/Green/LeBron/AD/McGee with the first unit, with a little wrinkle thrown in today.

As noted above, Bradley appeared to join LeBron James and Anthony Davis’ unit today, which is presumably the first unit in each practice. Frank Vogel even said that the unit (which also included Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Dwight Howard) took the second unit to school in the scrimmage. Bradley and Caldwell-Pope being on the team with LeBron and Davis is surprising enough, but Howard is equally as surprising. Although JaVale McGee is definitely a large man, Howard is just as large and ripped, creating two huge towers in front of the rim along with Davis.

Vogel noted that the units are going to change each day in practice, which means we won’t be able to decipher what the starting lineup will be from these practices just yet. Mike Trudell of Spectrum Sportsnet does appear to confirm a third guaranteed starter other than LeBron and AD, which is Danny Green.

It’ll be interesting to see if Vogel shows his hand anymore, as he has kept Lakers fans on their toes so far.

Come back here for tomorrow for the update on day three of the Lakers training camp, with the first preseason game will be on October 5th.

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