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A few blocks from where the San Francisco Giants played against the Dodgers for the NLDS, the Golden State Warriors hosted the Los Angeles Lakers in what turned out to be an entertaining event. LeBron James and Russell Westbrook finally made their preseason debuts and played 18 and 17 minutes respectively. The game got off to a bad start, as the two teams combined to hit 15 of 48 shots in the first quarter. Fortunately, the Lakers rallied in the fourth quarter to make this contest much more interesting, but ultimately lost in a 114-121 case.
It’s three consecutive losses to open the Lakeshow season. Seasoned Lakers fans historically know when the team is good and expect them to fight, preseason basketball means nothing. If the team played .500 in the first 15-20 games of the season, there might be cause for concern. But with these games that don’t even count, it really doesn’t matter. The Lakers host the Phoenix Suns next Sunday at 7 p.m. at Staples Center.
Tough start for Russell Westbrook
It wasn’t exactly the debut Laker fans had been waiting for throughout the summer. Westbrook managed to return the ball six times in the first quarter. He definitely looked in a bad mood as there were numerous instances during his 17 minutes where he aggressively dribbled a few yards from the perimeter but hesitated and returned the ball to reset or deflected it completely. Don’t expect Westbrook to figure this out quickly. Playing with James and Anthony Davis, Westbrook’s utilization rate won’t be as high as he thinks, so there can be a steep learning curve at the start of the season.
“It’s not all going to be understood at the moment. We have a long year… we will find out.
LeBron James is not at all concerned
With James entering his 19e season, he’s really seen it all on the pitch. So to expect someone of his stature to really take something out of a meaningless game would be overkill. He definitely aligns with that sentiment.
“I care more about the training ground than the preseason games. You go out and play rotations, and you try to figure things out of that nature. There is so much you can take away from a preseason game, at least for me individually. “
Dwight Howard always got it
Howard appeared to be stepping back into a time machine and showing why he was once considered the best big man in the league. He played in 24 minutes and topped the paint with 23 points on 11 shots and 12 rebounds with six of those offensives. Even at 35, he will be essential to their rotation as he backs up Anthony Davis.
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