Check out our notes from day four here
Yesterday the Los Angeles Lakers had the day off, with the team back on the hardwood today for the last time before they leave tomorrow for their first preseason game on Saturday, October 5th. Here’s the highlights of what we heard from the team following day five.
First and Second Unit Watch
Many have been watching what lineups head coach Frank Vogel uses in practice, with another variation in the first unit coming today as LeBron James and Anthony Davis were joined by Avery Bradley, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and JaVale McGee.
First unit to conclude Thursday’s practice is Bradley, KCP, LeBron, Davis and McGee. Second group: Rondo, Cook, Green, Cacok and Howard. Here’s AD sticking an isolation jumper: pic.twitter.com/KqGjnh6r8y
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 3, 2019
The most interesting tidbit here is that Danny Green was on the second unit. It just shows how not much can be drawn from these units early on in training camp, as Green is almost assuredly going to be in the Lakers’ starting lineup when the season starts.
Frank Vogel discusses staggering Rajon Rondo and LeBron James as much as he can
"To me, it's gonna be important to make sure that we stagger Rondo and LeBron so we can let each of them have their turn running the show and being the primary ball handler our there."
🗣️Coach Frank Vogel
Do you like the idea of us staggering Rondo and LeBron 👀 pic.twitter.com/DJGvuIefA5
— ShowtimeForum (@ShowtimeForum) October 3, 2019
That loud sound you just heard was Lakers Twitter giving a round of applause.
Much was made about the on-court pairing of LeBron James and Rajon Rondo last year, as it was not working well, to say the least. The duo had a Net Rating of -5.4 in the 2018-19 season, with a 110.9 Defensive Rating. That is less than desired, and the two should probably be staggered as much as possible anyways. They don’t have many talented ball-handlers, with LeBron James and Rajon Rondo possibly being the only two other than maybe Alex Caruso (the “gawd”). It’s nice to see that Vogel realizes this so early on in the process as Luke Walton tended to use them together a good amount.
LeBron James and Rajon Rondo talk about the team as a whole and Frank Vogel loves himself some Kyle Kuzma
LeBron James and Rajon Rondo were asked about the team as a whole. Rajon Rondo said “everyone” has impressed him so far, while LeBron James emphasized the turnover on the team and staff. Himself, JaVale McGee, Rajon Rondo, Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Alex Caruso are the only ones left from last season, with almost the entire coaching staff being different this year.
Rajon Rondo shares his thoughts on his teammates and his own journey to the NBA. pic.twitter.com/X9p9Zu9xGs
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 3, 2019
LeBron on the new-look Lakers:
“The only thing that is the same is the floor and the trophies up there. Everything else is different.” pic.twitter.com/Ji2jjxrD67
— Bill Oram (@billoram) October 3, 2019
Get ready for some Lakers basketball. The team will kick off the preseason this Saturday in China.
