Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers
Sports:Basketball
Has Darvin Ham Settled on Taurean Prince as the Starting Small Forward for the Lakers?
2023-10-16
The Lakers finished off another successful weekend of preseason basketball at the Crypt. Yes, they lost both games (Friday to Golden State, Sunday to Milwaukee) but in the moments where rotation players were on the floor, the Lakers continued to play very solid basketball. And the offense, particularly, has been outstanding. Not just the shooting from 3-point range, but all around the floor.
Anthony Davis has looked great in his minutes, with a solid shooting stroke and the activity level the Lakers need from him. Darvin Ham called him the "heart and soul" of the team, and this is no accident. What exactly are Ham (and Rob Pelinka, and LeBron, who also speak in similar terms) trying to accomplish with this kind of praise?
And what about the outside shooting? Is it too early to believe that the Lakers are just destined to be a high quality shooting team? What would that mean for them, because even when they've been good, the perimeter shooting has been a little dodgy. If that changes?
One reason it has, at least in the rehearsal games? Taurean Prince, who hit four of five 3-point attempts on Friday, then another two of five on Sunday. Overall, he's been remarkably efficient, and has helped elevate that starting unit with excellent spacing, good energy and timely runs to the basket. While Ham still hasn't confirmed anything, it seems like Prince has that starting small forward gig sewed up. Not just because Vanderbilt is dealing with a heel problem that kept him out of this weekend's games, and will do the same in the preseason finale - essentially a dress rehearsal for the regular season opener. Ham wouldn't commit to Vanderbilt being available for the opener, either, for that matter, which is a change from last week.
So if Vando doesn't start... when does he play?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Reaction to this weekend's games. The Lakers looked good, even if the scores didn't show it.
SEGMENT 2: AD is having a great preseason, the shooting looks good, and Taurean Prince seems to have won the SF job.
SEGMENT 3: If Vando doesn't start... when does he play?
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