Can More Practice Fix the New Lakers Starting Lineup? Plus, Should they have Drafted Jaime Jaquez Jr.?
The Lakers got a rare day of practice on Wednesday, and Darvin Ham certainly hopes that it could help iron out some of the rough spots the new starting lineup has experienced in the two games in which it has been deployed. Not surprisingly, he was asked a lot about the lineup meeting the media. “I think the pros is the size, the athleticism, the ability to switch across the board. I think the cons are just different actions, not having a traditional point guard can be challenging at times," Ham said. "But at the end of the day, again we have stuff in our package where we can still get to really good stuff. Get Bron some good looks, get AD some good looks, Taurean, Cam, Vando being able to slash and be effective at the rim. I think it’s more good than bad.” (via Lauren Jones) All of this makes sense in theory, but in practice is Ham asking players to do things they're really not well equipped to do? Particularly since Vanderbilt had his hand wrapped and might be limited in what he can do handling/dribbling/passing the ball? For his part, Vando believes a little practice time is probably what they need. It can't hurt, but will it really make that big a difference? Finally, Jaime Jaquez is crushing it for the Heat this season. He was drafted one spot after the Lakers took Jalen Hood-Schifino, who has barely played thanks to injury, but clearly isn't ready to contribute to a high caliber team yet. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers actually get to practice. How much could that help the new lineup? SEGMENT 2: What else could/should Darvin be doing? SEGMENT 3: Did the Lakers draft the wrong player last summer? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team wins! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices