Malik Monk and Kendrick Nunn provide youthful injection to veteran Lakers

For much of the offseason, the age of the Lakers has been the main topic of discussion when it comes to their acquisitions and their new team. It’s a little ironic, then, that it was the handful of young Lakers who stole the show for the purple and gold on Sunday afternoon.

On a night when so many of these veteran Lakers delayed the start of their respective seasons, it was three of the youngest players on the roster who shone the most, none more than Malik Monk. After a year of career at Charlotte, Monk took a risk by joining the Lakers and competing for a starting spot on an overcrowded roster.

But the 23-year-old may have taken the lead early in the competition scoring 15 points, a record for the team in 21 minutes, despite a night the Lakers lost to the Nets in Game 4. opening of the preseason, 123-97. As is the case in the preseason, the outcome is never a cause for concern, with process being the main focus and Monk has made a statement in that regard.

“To be honest, we’re still surprised we got it,” Anthony Davis said of Monk. “He’s a hell of a player. You saw what he did there the minute he played. He can score the ball on all three levels, play hard and do the right readings. It’s going to be fun to have this year.

Monk scored 10 of his 15 points in the second quarter. Specifically, they all arrived in under three minutes as the young guard showed why his teammates have already given him the nickname “Microwave” this season.

He wasn’t the only young Laker to stand out on the night as compatriot Kendrick Nunn also scored his nine points in second frame. The two combined for 24 of the team’s 30 points during the period, each making strong individual cases to close the last openings in the starting lineup.

“These guys are in the mix,” head coach Frank Vogel said of the pair. “We’re really high on these two guys you mentioned. Malik and Kendrick both had a great night from the start and I think Wayne (Ellington) played well too. These guys are going to have great opportunities to save big minutes and play a big part in what we’re doing. “

Talen Horton-Tucker also produced a handful of glowing moments into the night, though her 3-on-11 shooting performance wasn’t the prettiest. One of only three ghosts on the team from last year, Horton-Tucker finished with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists in his 26 minutes of action, his biggest highlight of the night. being a thunderous dunk in the middle of the lane.

Photo by Adam Pantozzi / NBAE via Getty Images

Horton-Tucker, however, was part of the Lakers’ rotation last year and has playoff experience during his brief career. For Monk, after years of competing for lottery picks instead of playoff spots, a change of odds also required a change in mindset. But Monk approached the situation with a desire to learn and a desire to compete.

“It’s definitely changed,” Monk said. “I have to be a lot more locked up because they know everything. LeBron can come out and tell you a whole 10 minute stint and won’t miss a game so that’s how hard I have to play with these guys and with training camp as well. They helped. Like I said, they helped me a lot. And I also ask a lot of questions.

“Actually, all the guys are like big brothers to me because I’m quite young and have been in the league for a minute. They all welcome me and teach me everything they can that day. Tomorrow they will teach me other tricks and the next day they will teach me other tricks. Everyone welcomes me with open arms.

Monk absorbed the information and applied it to the pitch, leaving an impression on Vogel and center Dwight Howard even before Sunday’s game, with both praising his performance in practice on Saturday.

On Sunday, he showed the audience what his teammates had witnessed, taking Vogel’s advice to just be himself instead of being something others might think the Lakers need.

“We took out a few guys so it will be a little different when they come back, but it turned out exactly as (Vogel) said,” Monk said. “Just me to come in and be myself.” Do not fill in a box. Go ahead and be myself.

If Sunday was an example, being himself would be more than enough for the Lakers. Perhaps more importantly for the Lakers as a whole, Sunday was also an example that the Lakers may not have been entirely dependent on their seasoned veterans this season, either.

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