NBA PREVIEW THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING - INSIDE - CNPA
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NBA PREVIEW
THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING
INSIDE
LeBron James is
ready to lead the
young Lakers. V10
This NBA dynasty
stuff is not as easy
as it looks. V3
Clippers have a
new look, and Doc
Rivers loves it. V13
Wally Skalij Los Angeles Times
V2 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2018 LOS ANGELES TIMES
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L AT I ME S . CO M / S P O RT S S U NDAY , O C T O B E R 14 , 2 018 V3
NBA PREVIEW
Jeff Chiu Associated Press
KEVIN DURANT , left, Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and the rehabbing DeMarcus Cousins make the Warriors the clear favorites in the NBA.
READY 4 ANOTHER
As Warriors seek fourth title under Kerr, they’re well aware of the challenges
seven games by the Houston Rock- the Warriors to adjust is an added
By Dan Woike ets and might’ve lost the series had benefit.
it not been for an injury to Chris “Every year is different and you
OAKLAND — There was a time Paul late in Game 5, the All-Star can isolate one or two things that
early last season when Steve Kerr, point guard missing the rest of the make it different, whether it’s a
the coach of the best basketball series. personnel change or a goal you
team in recent NBA history, stood “You can’t just sleepwalk want to set or something you want
in front of his squad and laid out through stuff,” Warriors guard to chase, and you’ve got to adapt,”
the truth about the next eight Stephen Curry said. “We’ve been Curry said. “…We can focus on the
months. exposed at times, that when we’re challenge of implementing DeMar-
It had been three years since not completely locked in that we cus into what we do, highlighting
Kerr took the helm, and in those can be beat.” his skill set this year along with
seasons his teams played on the The Warriors have ways to try to continuing to do what we do best.
biggest stages. They made three fight that off heading into another That’s what this year is going to be
consecutive trips to the Finals, season in which they’re the over- about.”
winning twice. Everyone in the whelming favorites. The challenges, if things go to
room — everyone, period — ex- Kerr, like Walton, played for Phil plan, will largely go unspoken by
pected the Golden State Warriors Jackson, a master at fighting the Kerr and the coaching staff. He
to win another title. natural boredom that comes with doesn’t want to draw attention to
“It’s going to be hard,” Kerr greatness. Jackson three-peated the obvious obstacles to another ti-
tried to explain to the team, con- three times in a 12-year span, twice tle. His team, more than any other
fronting the challenge head-on. with the Bulls and once with the in the league, knows how much of a
Things seem to get in the way of Lakers. He later won back-to-back grind it can be waiting months and
great teams, Kerr thought, keeping titles in a second stint with the months for the most meaningful
them from annual trips to the Lakers. basketball to arrive.
championship series. As the Lakers worked toward a The Warriors didn’t get to this
Injuries, malaise, personality third title, Jackson would use prac- point by fading when things get
conflicts, a lack of competition, tice time to play mind games. toughest, when history is on the
overconfidence — any could get in “He used to do stuff like that all line. The real reason they don’t
his team’s way and keep them from Ezra Shaw Getty Images the time, like making practice chip- need to be told what’s in front of
winning their third title in four sea- WARRIORS COACH Steve Kerr says his team is “recharged” pier, not calling fouls so guys would them is because players like Curry
sons. after winning three championships in four seasons. get into fights with one another. At have a need for exceptionalism
“It was almost a self-fulfilling the time, we weren’t aware why,” pumping through their veins.
prophecy,” Kerr said. team that pulled off a three-peat, he wasn’t going to let it become a Walton said. “But I’m sure that was Curry knows the Warriors just
The Warriors were on the edge and the awareness that the third ti- distraction — though it certainly the biggest thing for him all year, aren’t playing for a ring. They’re
of elimination in the Western Con- tle was “by far” the toughest. has the potential to become one. finding ways to manipulate us to playing for history — maybe for the
ference finals after trudging Or, Kerr knows that all empires “This will probably be the last keep us sharp.” last time. They’ve rarely flinched
through a seemingly never-ending eventually crumble and this might time I’ll say anything about free Kerr probably won’t take the when presented with chances to do
regular season before pulling be the end of the Golden State dy- agency for next year,” he said. “It’s a Warriors down that road, though something this difficult.
through to win another champi- nasty. good question on the first day of he’s already shortened practices in “We talk about the three-peat
onship. The team could be ravaged at practice because it’s going to be an effort to make them more effi- because it’s in front of us. We don’t
With his team set to go on a the end of the season by free looming for fans and the media. cient, demanding greater focus repeat it every single day,” he said.
championship trek again, trying to agency. Star forward Kevin Du- But it won’t be looming for us.” over a shorter period of time. “When we start the season, we lay
be the first NBA team to win for the rant, who has won back-to-back The pending free agency of key And, like they did when they everything out onto the table as to
fourth time in five seasons since NBA Finals MVP honors since join- players is only one of the possible added Durant, the team nabbed a what’s at stake as far as expecta-
the Boston Celtics of the 1960s, ing the Warriors, could have a obstacles the Warriors will en- top talent this summer, signing tions. Yes, winning a champi-
Kerr will not be making the same thirst for new challenges. He’s ex- counter this season. Lakers coach center DeMarcus Cousins to a bar- onship is the goal. How you get
speech to his players. He won’t pected to opt out of his contract fol- Luke Walton, who came up one gain deal of one year at $5 million. there, how you break up that mis-
even mention it. lowing the season, and while re- ring short of a three-peat as a play- Cousins, who is rehabbing from a sion on a game-to-game, month-
They don’t need it, he thinks, signing is a definite possibility, he er with the Lakers in 2011, remem- ruptured Achilles tendon last sea- to-month basis is what makes us
and that’s bad news for the 29 could also try to wash off the front- bered just how tough the end was. son, is participating in on-court great. In terms of encouraging
teams trying to dethrone the War- runner stigma attached to his “Where we got in trouble is we drills already, though there’s no each other, being in tune with some
riors. name after picking the Warriors had been to three straight finals … timetable for a return. of the things that might be thrown
“They’re recharged. They’re three years ago by going out on his for whatever reason, we just as- When Cousins does step on the at you, whether it’s injuries or it’s a
fresh. I just have a better feeling own. sumed we were going back. We court, the Warriors will have to fig- couple slumps on the court —
about this year than I did last year Shooting guard Klay Thomp- kind of lost that sharpness, that ure out how to play with a dynamic whatever the case is — we adapt
— a better vibe,” Kerr said. “I think son is also set to be an unrestricted edge that we had,” said Walton, a post scorer for the first time during really well.
there’s less focus on how hard it’s free agent and likely will have maxi- Warriors assistant for two trips to their run of dominance. “The overall goal, it just de-
going to be and more focus on how mum offers at his feet from teams the Finals. “It’s human nature. To “DeMarcus, when he’s back, will pends on the day and how we com-
lucky we are to be in this situation, across the NBA, the perfect com- keep that edge … you have to be give our guys a real challenge to in- municate it. But as of right now,
appreciating this time and having plement to any other superstar be- ready to sacrifice everything to win corporate him, a type of player that winning a championship is attain-
a chance to win another champi- cause of his long-range marksman- a title because every other team is we haven’t had before,” Kerr said. able if we take care of our business,
onship.” ship and defensive versatility. starving to get there.” “With his skill level and his level of and doing it three years in a row is a
The gratitude in Kerr’s voice Thompson, though, has expressed The Warriors showed signs of physicality, we’re going to be able tremendous opportunity for us
could simply be the product of per- a desire to play for the Warriors his that last season, that edge dulling to do some different things. I think that we should not be afraid to talk
spective, acknowledgment that entire career. over the course of the regular sea- our guys will embrace that chal- about.”
he’s running a once-in-a-genera- Kerr tried to strangle any free- son, and when the team tried to lenge.”
tion team. It could come from his agency talk on the first day of prac- find it again in the playoffs, it While adding talent is generally dan.woike@latimes.com
past as a player, once a member of a tice this season, telling reporters wasn’t easy. They got pushed to a no-brainer, the fact that it’ll force Twitter: @DanWoikeSports
V4 S U N DAY, O C T O BE R 14, 2 018 L AT I M E S. C O M /S P O RT S
NBA PREVIEW: LAKERS
Photographs by Wally Skalij Los Angeles Times
A BELIEVER IN MEDITATION, Lakers coach Luke Walton might have to breathe deeply at times as he tries to guide the Lakers back into playoff contention.
ALL PRESENT
Lakers can’t worry about the future or the past. With LeBron James
and a mix of youth and experience, they’re thinking about playoffs.
future will depend on what hap-
By Tania Ganguli pens now.
“We expect to have a special
Last week, when former Lak- season, we just have to put it all
ers great Shaquille O’Neal together, come together, but
thought back to the legacies of we’re not looking toward next
Phil Jackson and the late Tex summer or next season — we’re
Winter, he remembered the rou- into this season,” general man-
tine. ager Rob Pelinka said. “We still
“We did the same thing every have some work to do. We know
day, came in, yoga, stretching, what our plan is and we’re going
meditation, walk through trian- to stick to that plan. But we’re not
gle offense, practice, talk about it thinking about it right now. We’re
afterward,” O’Neal said recently. into this moment because we feel
The triangle offense has faded like we can do something very
into the franchise’s past, but Lak- special.”
ers coach Luke Walton was part Every day of practice this pre-
of those teams that followed that season, Walton has faced a luxury
schedule and meditation is part and a challenge. For the first time
of his daily life. in his coaching tenure, his effort
And just because the Lakers isn’t so heavily focused on just the
added one of the best players ever youngest players in the league. It
this summer doesn’t mean medi- has meant that he can go faster as
tation has left the organization. he teaches the system. But he has
Early in training camp, Walton to be careful not to go too fast.
brought in a specialist to lead the “It doesn’t make sense for us
team through a session. to move forward unless at least a
Meditation is a practice that majority of guys have a good feel
keeps one focused on the present, for it so that we can execute that
not on the past or future. That on the court,” Walton said.
will be a critical skill for the Lak- For the last two seasons, Wal-
ers this season. The future might ton’s mission has been relatively
be tempting to consider, the past simple. It was his job to develop a
might be easy to indulge, but the group of young players however
present matters more than any- he could to maximize their talent.
thing else. The LeBron James Whether or not they were part of
edition of the Lakers must meld the Lakers’ future, those players’
together, their young players LONZO BALL IS COMING OFF a rookie season in which he missed 30 games because of injuries, development was critical.
must develop, and the franchise’s and this season he probably will have Rajon Rondo starting in front of him. [See Lakers, V5]
L AT I ME S . CO M / S P O RT S S U N DAY , OC T O B E R 14 , 2 018 V5
NBA PREVIEW: LAKERS
2018-19 SEASON SCHEDULE
Shade denotes home game. Times Pacific.
OCTOBER
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
14 15 16 17 18 POR 19 20 HOU
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
TNT Spec, ESPN
21 22 SA 23 24 PHX 25 DEN 26 27 SA
7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
Spec, ESPN SpecSN Spec, TNT Spec, TNT
28 29 MIN 30 31 DAL
5 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Spec, NBA SpecSN
NOVEMBER
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 POR
7 p.m.
SpecSN
4 TOR 5 6 7 MIN 8 9 10 SAC
6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
SpecSN Spec, ESPN SpecSN
11 ATL 12 13 14 POR 15 16 17 ORL
6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 4 p.m.
SpecSN Spec, ESPN SpecSN
18 MIA 19 20 21 CLE 22 23 UTA 24
3 p.m. 5 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
SpecSN Spec, ESPN Spec, NBA
25 ORL 26 27 DEN 28 29 IND 30 DAL
12:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
SpecSN Spec, NBA SpecSN SpecSN
DECEMBER
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1
2 PHX 3 4 5 SA 6 7 SA 8 MEM
12:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5 p.m.
SpecSN Spec, ESPN SpecSN SpecSN
9 10 MIA 11 12 13 HOU 14 15 CHA
7:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 4 p.m.
Spec, NBA Spec, TNT SpecSN
16 WAS 17 18 BKN 19 20 21 NO 22
3 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
SpecSN Spec, NBA Spec, ESPN
23 MEM 24 25 GS 26 27 SAC 28 LAC 29
6:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
SpecSN ESPN/Ch. 7 SpecSN Spec, NBA
30 SAC 31
6:30 p.m.
SpecSN
JANUARY
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 OKC 3 4 NY 5
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Spec, ESPN SpecSN
6 MIN 7 DAL 8 9 DET 10 11 UTA 12
12:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
SpecSN SpecSN Spec, ESPN Spec, ESPN
13 CLE 14 15 CHI 16 17 OKC 18 19 HOU
6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
Spec, NBA Spec, NBA TNT Channel 7
20 21 GS 22 23 24 MIN 25 26
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
TNT Spec, TNT
27 PHX 28 29 PHI 30 31 LAC
6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
SpecSN TNT SpecSN
FEBRUARY
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 GS
5:30 p.m.
ABC
3 4 5 IND 6 7 BOS 8 9
4 p.m. 5 p.m.
SpecSN Spec, TNT
10 PHI 11 12 ATL 13 14 15 16
12:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
ABC SpecSN
17 18 19 20 21 HOU 22 23 NO
7:30 p.m. 4 p.m.
TNT SpecSN
24 25 MEM 26 27 NO 28
5 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
SpecSN Spec, ESPN
MARCH
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
Gary Coronado Los Angeles Times 1 MIL2 PHX
RAJON RONDO, who has played with Dallas, Sacramento, Chicago and New Orleans since winning a 7:30 p.m. 6 p.m.
championship in Boston, goes to the basket during a preseason game against Denver. Spec, ESPNSpecSN
3 4 LAC 5 6 DEN 7 8 9 BOS
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
[Lakers, from V4] They added James to a team that team,” McGee said. “It’s just a bunch Spec, NBA Spec, ESPN ABC
Either they’d remain and improve won 35 games and finished 11th in the of guys that will hit you in the mouth 10 11 12 CHI 13 14 TOR 15 DET 16
the team or they’d become attractive Western Conference. They added first and if they get hit in the mouth 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 4 p.m.
prospects for deals with other teams. players with mercurial personalities they’re not backing down.” SpecSN Spec, TNT Spec, NBA
Players like D’Angelo Russell, Larry but experience, knowledge and skills. As their play complements James, 17 NY 18 19 MIL 20 21 22 BKN 23
Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson be- JaVale McGee won a champi- they might help the Lakers end a five- 9 a.m. 5 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
came assets that helped the Lakers onship last season with Golden State, year playoff drought. They can also SpecSN Spec, NBA SpecSN
clear salary cap space and make the handling a heavy responsibility of teach the younger players by exam- 24 SAC 25 26 WAS 27 UTA 28 29 CHA 30
way for signing James. slowing James in the NBA Finals. ple. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
This year, that has changed. The Rajon Rondo won a championship “You can tell that when me and SpecSN TNT Spec, ESPN SpecSN
Lakers’ mission on the court is 10 years ago, but last season he was Rondo are ciphering through our 31 NO
twofold. the point guard on a playoff team in Rolodex of mental basketball capac- 3 p.m.
They still have young players who New Orleans that pulled off a first- ity that those guys are like, ‘OK, what SpecSN
need development — Brandon In- round upset of Portland. are you all talking about?’ ” James
gram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and Lance Stephenson, who has said. “ ‘What are you all thinking APRIL
Lonzo Ball, as well as rookies Moe played his best in the comfort of Indi- about? I want to know.’ ” SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
Wagner, Svi Mykhailiuk and Isaac ana, has brought an enthusiasm and That’s what gives James the most 1 2 OKC 3 4 GS 5 LAC 6
Bonga. toughness to Lakers games that is be- hope for this team — what’s happen- 5 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
But now they have veterans who coming contagious. ing now. Spec, TNT TNT SpecSN
can be reasonably saddled with ex- “I definitely feel like the group of 7 UTA 87 9 POR 10 11 12 13
pectations. This season’s team ex- guys we put together, they can be the tania.ganguli@latimes.com 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
pects to be in the playoffs. equivalent of the Bad Boys Detroit Twitter: @taniaganguli SpecSN SpecSN
LAKERS NEED TO PASS MESH TEST
Lakers beat reporter Tania Ganguli tackles the five biggest questions surrounding the team as it enters the 2018-19 NBA season:
1 How will the Lakers’ young
players mesh with LeBron
upon his return to Cleveland. injury, there’s a strong chance
Rondo will be their starting point
voice will matter far more than the
elder Ball’s voice did. A veteran-
using smaller players against the
league’s big men otherwise?
James?
The team LeBron James joined
this summer is filled with second-
2
guard?
Can Lonzo Ball assert himself
as the Lakers’ future point
guard to begin the season. It will be
up to Ball to wrest that from him.
laden roster full of players with
quirky personalities could also add
to the degree of difficulty in coach- 5 Will the Lakers make a big
midseason trade or wait pa-
year (Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and
Josh Hart) and third-year (Bran-
By all accounts, Rajon Rondo
has been a model teammate since 3 How will coach Luke Walton
fare this season?
ing the team. tiently for free agency?
Lakers general manager Rob
don Ingram) players who will have
important roles. Those young
players have never had a teammate
signing with the Lakers. The 12-
year veteran is happy to share his
knowledge with his younger team-
Even before the Lakers added
this summer’s most coveted free
agent, rumors arose about Walton’s
4 What’s happening at center?
The Lakers are putting
great faith in the evolution of the
Pelinka likes to say that he always
considers the roster fluid and is
constantly looking for ways to
like James. And James has never mates. He is a willing mentor, with future. It was perhaps the gestation NBA, which has put less emphasis improve the team. There could be
had a team quite like this. James designs on being a coach later in of a seed planted last season by on the play of centers and more on opportunities during the season for
has said repeatedly that this season life. He has never publicly said he Ball’s father, LaVar, that Walton positionless basketball. JaVale the Lakers to change dramatically.
will test his patience, which is some- wants the starting job, but Rondo is had lost the confidence of his play- McGee is their primary option at What if the Timberwolves’ impasse
thing he also said when he returned also a very competitive person who ers and then nurtured by the Lak- center. Rookie Moe Wagner could with star Jimmy Butler festers into
to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014. sees himself as a starting point ers’ initial hesitancy to publicly be another, but he has missed the January? What if the Raptors feel
While Cleveland wasn’t a ready- guard. That’s exactly the type of support Walton. James’ former entire preseason because of a knee the need to get something for
made championship team like the dynamic the Lakers wanted to coaches say the 14-time All-Star contusion so it’s hard to tell what Kawhi Leonard and he agrees to
Heat when he went to Miami, the introduce in adding Rondo to their makes their jobs easier. But he is a his role will be. They have mostly commit long term to the Lakers?
Cavaliers wound up being a team roster. Last year they told Ball he player with a considerable amount used small-ball lineups, groups that Their position in the past has been
with some experienced stars. Kyrie was the face of the franchise after of power in a franchise’s decision- include a traditional power forward that they’ll explore any option.
Irving was entering his fourth drafting him second overall. This making process. If James, who was as the center, when McGee is out of They have also been insistent on
season. Kevin Love was traded to year they are pushing Ball with a part of the same draft class as the game. It’s likely McGee will get spending only what they must. But
the Cavaliers a month later. . James legitimate competitor. As the Lak- Walton, doesn’t like the direction in the heaviest workload he has had in a deadline deal could prove too
went to the NBA Finals every year ers bring Ball back slowly from which the Lakers are heading, his years. How will the Lakers fare tantalizing a prospect.
V6 S U N DAY, O C T OB E R 14 , 2 018 L AT I ME S . CO M / S P O RT S
NBA PREVIEW: LAKERS BENCH
JOSH HART ISAAC BONGA
#3 GUARD AGE: 23 #17 GUARD AGE: 18
Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG
1 6-5 7.9 4.2 1.3 R 6-8 6.0* 3.1* 2.3*
What scouts say: “He’s very good in the What scouts say: “A tall, skinny, athletic
open court.” “He might be their starting freak. He doesn’t really have a position.”
two-guard.” “He has to shoot more threes.” “He has point-guard skills, but he’s very
“You can start him when guys get hurt.” raw.” *at Skyliners Frankfurt
Photographs by Wally Skalij Los Angeles Times
LONZO BALL
#2 GUARD AGE: 20
Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG
1 6-6 10.2 6.9 7.2
What scouts say: “He has to stay healthy and be able to knock down open shots.”
“You look at his body and he’s physically stronger.” “The biggest thing for him was
to improve his stroke.”
ALEX CARUSO MICHAEL BEASLEY
#4 GUARD AGE: 24 #11 FORWARD AGE: 29
Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG
1 6-5 3.6 1.8 2.0 10 6-9 13.2 5.6 1.7
What scouts say: “He’s a combo guard What scouts say: “Will get buckets against
who can pass it and really handle the ball.” second-team forwards.” “Is he going to buy
“He’s a point guard who can play the two into what they are doing?” “Unbelievable
and three. He plays hard.” scorer.” “Play him when he’s hot.”
KYLE KUZMA
#0 FORWARD AGE: 23
Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG
1 6-9 16.1 6.3 1.8
What scouts say: “He has to space the floor and play like Kevin Love did with Le-
Bron.” “If he can ditto last year, he’ll be good.” “He has to improve his defense and
rebounding.” “He’s their most active runner, cutter on the move.”
SVI MYKHAILIUK TRAVIS WEAR
#10 FORWARD AGE: 21 #21 FORWARD AGE: 28
Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG
R 6-8 14.6* 3.9* 2.7* 1 6-9 4.4 2.2 0.4
What scouts say: “He might be their best What scouts say: “If he can make some
shooter right now.” “’He’ll continue to get shots, he can be effective.” “He’s a good
better.” “He’s more athletic than you spot-up shooter.” “Good two-way guy who
think.” *at Kansas will primarily play with South Bay Lakers.”
IVICA ZUBAC MOE WAGNER
#40 CENTER AGE: 21 #15 CENTER AGE: 21
Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG LANCE STEPHENSON Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG
2 7-1 3.7 2.9 0.6 #6 GUARD AGE: 28 R 6-11 14.6* 7.1* 0.8*
What scouts say: “Has to continue to Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG What scouts say: “Has to continue to work
improve his lateral movement.” “He has to 8 6-6 9.2 5.2 2.9 on his game.” “He’s got some cockiness.”
play big when they need it.” “He hasn’t What scouts say: “He can come off the bench and give them physicality.” “He has a “His ability to space the floor will allow him
matured much in two years.” tendency to ignite the crowd.” “He will raise the competitive level of the bench.” to find playing time.” *at Michigan
Statistics from 2017-18. Final roster cuts due Monday. Broderick Turner compiled scouting reports; scouts spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about players.
L AT I M ES . C O M / SP O RTS S U NDAY , O C T O B E R 14 , 2 018 V7
NBA PREVIEW: LAKERS STARTERS
BRANDON INGRAM
#14 GUARD AGE: 21
Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG
2 6-9 16.1 5.3 3.9
What scouts say: “He’s a legit 20-point scorer in the league.”
“Can he make that jump to become their third-best player?”
“Has a chance to be a good two-way player.”
COACH
LUKE WALTON
WITH LAKERS IN LEAGUE
Yr. W-L Yr. W-L
3 61-103 (.372) 4 100-107 (48.3%)
The former Lakers forward was brought in to help rebuild
the team for which he played eight-plus seasons. He was
the 32nd overall pick out of Arizona in 2003.
Photographs by Wally Skalij Los Angeles Times
KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE JaVALE McGEE
#1 GUARD AGE: 25 #7 CENTER AGE: 30
Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG
Yr. Ht. PPG RPG BPG
5 6-5 13.4 5.2 2.2
10 7-0 4.8 2.6 0.9
What scouts say: “If he can shoot in the high 30s from
three, he’s big for them.” “With LeBron, he’s going to have What scouts say: “He’ll always have some good games because he’s so athletic.”
a good year.” “He’ll have a good year because he has to.” “He can be great in five-minute stretches.” “He’s got to keep his game simple.”
LeBRON JAMES RAJON RONDO
#23 FORWARD AGE: 33 #9 GUARD AGE: 32
Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG Yr. Ht. PPG RPG APG
15 6-8 27.5 8.6 9.1 12 6-1 8.3 4.0 8.2
What scouts say: “He’ll dominate as he always has.” “He’s downplayed this season to not What scouts say: “Rondo is a cerebral player.”
put pressure on his teammates.” “If he can pull together this team, they have a good “He’s been a great leader.” “He’s going to shake things up.
chance to be pretty good.” He’ll call out coaches and call out players.”
V8 S U N DAY, O C T OB E R 14 , 2 018 L AT I ME S . CO M / S P O RT S
NBA PREVIEW: LAKERS
A PLACE IN HISTORY
LeBRON JAMES signed a four-year contract to play for the Lakers. He joins a storied franchise that has won 16
championships since its founding in 1947. James is undoubtedly one of the NBA’s great scorers, seventh in all-time
NBA scoring, but can he break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record? We compare him with some of the greatest scorers to
have worn a Lakers uniform. —JULIAN H. LANGE AND ELLIS SIMANI
Kareem Kobe Wilt LeBron Shaquille Jerry Elgin Magic George
Abdul-Jabbar Bryant Chamberlain James O’Neal West Baylor Johnson Mikan
Seasons in NBA ’69–’89 ’96–’16 ’59–’73 ’03–present ’92–’11 ’60–’74 ’58–’71 ‘79–’91, ‘95–’96 ’48–’54, ’55–’56
Seasons with Lakers 14 20 5 0 8 14 14 13 7
Points Points with Lakers in purple.
= 1,000 points
38,387 33,643 31,419 31,038 28,596 25,192 23,149 17,707 10,156
Championships
Trophies with
Lakers in gold.
Will there be a
The Mikan era Wilt & Jerry Kareem & Magic –“Showtime” Kobe & Shaq Kobe LeBron era?
When they played
George Mikan
Elgin Baylor
Wilt Chamberlain
Jerry West
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Magic Johnson
Shaquille O'Neal
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
’49 −’50 ’59 −’60 ’69 −’70 ’79 −’80 ’89 −’90 ’99 −’00 ’09 −’10 ’19 −’20
THEY DID IT DIFFERENTLY
Not only do the total points scored by each of the nine players differ vastly, the pace at which they scored over the arcs of their careers differed. In this cumulative
plot, a steeper trajectory corresponds to a faster scoring pace. James is on a similar scoring pace as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In contrast, Wilt Chamberlain was on
a faster scoring trajectory early, but his scoring pace slowed later in his career when he played for the Lakers. Kobe Bryant spent his entire career with the
Lakers and holds the record for most Lakers points. George Mikan and Magic Johnson each came out of retirement for one season.
Wilt Chamberlain’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Shaquille O’Neal Kobe Bryant holds
scoring dwindled after holds the all-time helped the Lakers win the record for most
joining the Lakers. NBA scoring record. three straight titles. Lakers points.
Cumulative
points by LeBron James
season 40,000
(NBA scoring record)
Karl Malone joined
the Lakers for one
season.
30,000
Elgin
Baylor
Jerry
West
20,000 Magic
Johnson
If James continues his
2017–18 points pace,
he will surpass Kareem’s
10,000 all-time record as well
George as the 40,000-points
Mikan mark during the
2021–22 season.
0
’49 −’50 ’59 −’60 ’69 −’70 ’79 −’80 ’89 −’90 ’99 −’00 ’09 −’10 ’19 −’20
CHASING KAREEM CAN LeBRON KEEP IT UP?
The trajectory of LeBron James’ scoring is similar to that of Kareem Abdul- Among the NBA greats who have played for the Lakers, four joined the team
Jabbar’s. Much of the difference was in his first five seasons. Since then, after having played elsewhere. Whereas Wilt Chamberlain’s and Karl
James has been closing the scoring gap. Comparatively, Wilt Chamberlain Malone’s scoring declined dramatically after joining the Lakers, Kareem
was a more prolific scorer for his first 10 seasons. Kobe Bryant scored at a Abdul-Jabbar’s and Shaquille O’Neal’s did not. How will LeBron James fare
slower pace. after joining the Lakers?
Cumulative points by season Points per season
Wilt Chamberlain Karl Malone
40,000 points 3,000 3,000
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Joined the Lakers
● ●
2,000 ● ● 2,000 ● ●
Kobe Bryant ● ● ● ●
Wilt Chamberlain
●
30,000 1,000 1,000
●
●
0 0
LeBron James ’02-’03 ’06-’07
Four seasons First four
20,000 before Lakers Lakers seasons
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Shaquille O’Neal
3,000 3,000
●
● ● ● ● ●
10,000 ● ●
2,000 ● ● 2,000 ●
● ●
● ● ●
1,000 1,000
0 0 0
5 10 15 20 ’74-’75 ’78-’79 ’95-’96 ’99-’00
Sources: Basketball Reference, The Noun Project
L AT I M ES . C O M/ S P O RT S S U N DAY , OC T O B E R 14 , 2 018 V9
NBA PREVIEW: LAKERS
Minneapolis Star Tribune Larry Sharkey Los Angeles Times
BEFORE THERE was Wilt, Kareem or Shaq, George Mikan (99) dominated the NO LONGER the player who led the league in scoring, Wilt Chamberlain used
NBA with the Minneapolis Lakers, winning five championships. the finger roll and other skills to help the Lakers win their first title in L.A.
Al Seib Los Angeles Times
AFTER COMING to the Lakers as a free agent in
1996, Shaquille O’Neal took his game to new levels
and won three consecutive NBA Finals MVPs.
Lawrence K. Ho Los Angeles Times
Wally Skalij Los Angeles Times
THERE HAS NEVER been a player like Magic
PLAYING HIS entire career with the Lakers, Kobe Bryant won five championships, scored 81 points in one Johnson, who brought Showtime to the Lakers in the
game, and finished his career with a 60-point effort, above, against the Utah Jazz in 2016 at Staples Center. ’80s while lighting up the NBA with his smile.
Focus on Sport / Getty Images Reed Saxon Associated Press Vernon Biever NBAE/Getty Images
JERRY WEST (aka Mr. Clutch, Zeke From Cabin WITH AN UNSTOPPABLE skyhook, Kareem A 6-FOOT-5 scoring and rebounding machine, Elgin
Creek or the Logo) was a Hall of Famer on the court Abdul-Jabbar became the NBA’s all-time leading Baylor was Dr. J before Dr. J. Unfortunately, he
and became a legend in the front office. scorer while winning six rings, five with the Lakers. retired right before the Lakers won their first title.
V10 S U N DAY, O C T OB E R 14 , 2 018 L AT I ME S . CO M / S P O RT S L AT I ME S . CO M / SP O RTS S U N DAY, O C T OB E R 14 , 2 018 V11
NBA PREVIEW: LAKERS
LAKERS’
POWERFUL,
PATIENT
LEADER
Wally Skalij Los Angeles Times
LeBron James is able to relate to THIS LAKERS TEAM is unlike any James
has joined in free agency.
The Miami Heat he signed with in 2010
you become a parent is that if you have mul-
tiple kids, to get the most out of your kids
you can’t teach them all the same way.”
When he went on a two-week cleanse
during which he skipped alcohol, sugars,
dairy and gluten, James insisted that his
weeks.
If his young teammates were in awe of
his presence, they got over that pretty
In waiting for that, too, James is asking
for patience from himself.
“I think it will be a learning experience
Everything. I mean he acts like a kid. He
acts like one of us. Of course he keeps it pro-
fessional all the time. [But he also] acts like
his younger teammates, but he
were a veteran-laden group, with three Here the Lakers have Ingram (21), kids needed to be kids when it came to their quickly — or at least pretended to. for them,” James said. “Some of them, they one of us on a daily basis.”
ready-made stars and immediate champi- Lonzo Ball (20), Kyle Kuzma (23) and Josh diet. His oldest son is a standout in basket- “He not God,” Ball said one day. don’t know. You can’t expect them to know. Ingram hasn’t felt a patronizing tone.
onship expectations. Hart (23), all of whom are closer in age to ball. While some prospects garner media at- Kuzma dismissed the idea of being So you have to understand, you have to He laughed in acknowledgment about
wants to be strong, serious mentor
The Cleveland Cavaliers were younger, James’ eldest son than they are to James. tention well before college, James’ son isn’t starstruck. guide them and teach them and allow them James’ sons helping James stay abreast of
headlined by Kyrie Irving, who was enter- “I think it’s pretty cool to know where allowed to do interviews until he’s 18. “I’m kind of past that point,” Kuzma to make mistakes because I believe the best things his young teammates might like —
ing his fourth season when James returned. they are at their point in their lives and how It’s colored by what James experienced said. “It’s going into my second year teacher in life is experience, so you have to “Me and his son listen to the same music,”
They had a high-profile rookie, but much more room for growth not only as a as one of the most famous teenagers in the playing. I’ve been through playing a lot of allow them to make mistakes and fall on Ingram said — but Ingram also said James
Cleveland traded Andrew Wiggins for Kev- basketball player but as young men,” world. James was17 when he was on the cov- games so you know it’s kind of another their face and get back up and see how they doesn’t treat him or his teammates like his
Can’t get him to stop listening to Young in Love a month after signing James. James said. “So that’s exciting to be er of Sports Illustrated for the first time. game.” react to that.” children.
By Tania Ganguli
I
Dolph.” In a letter he wrote announcing his re- around. They have that young men energy, “They have seen their dad go through it Ingram said there wasn’t much time to That’s another lesson fatherhood Every day he learns more about them.
Sometimes James reads a book during turn to Cleveland, James said he thought he which is always great.” for so long as a professional that nothing is think about it since they had a game to play taught him. “You get more and more comfortable
T TAKES LEBRON JAMES only 20 his commute. He likes reading about his- could help elevate Irving to one of the really gonna surprise them,” James said. shortly. with how to approach them, how to get the
minutes to get from his home in tory, especially critical time periods for civil league’s best point guards. During the Fi- JAMES BECAME A PARENT young, and “Both of my boys are on social media right James doesn’t want one-sided awe. A DAY AFTER JAMES enthusiastically dis- best out of them, how to lead them, how to
Brentwood to the Lakers’ practice rights. nals this year, James said he saw in Irving has said he always wanted that. now. Some for the greater good but also I “If we’re serious about what we’re here cussed his reading habits, he strolled into a respect them as well because we are all pro-
facility in El Segundo each morning, “But I also love the mob,” James said one the potential for a cerebral player who In part it was a contrast to his own up- wish it wasn’t, but it is what it is.” for and we’re putting in the time, we should hallway at an arena in Las Vegas holding fessionals,” James said. “Even though they
a feat that might be more impressive October morning, about an hour before thinks about the game at a high level. bringing by his mother, Gloria, who was 16 They’ve taught him the importance of all have awe moments,” James said. “For “Havana Nocturne.” are younger than me, we are all profession-
than his eight consecutive NBA Fi- practice. He smiled like a student talking But the point guard, now 26, sometimes when she had him. James was 19 years old knowing that people’s needs are different. me I’m just one of the guys. I’m one of the He was mostly stoic, clipped and als so you have to keep that in mind.”
nals appearances given Los Angeles about his favorite subject in school. “I’m a chafed in James’ shadow and eventually when he became a father. They’ve taught him the value of patience. guys, I come in, I punch my clock in, I put businesslike during the ensuing news con-
traffic patterns. huge mob fan, so going all the way back to asked for a trade. James and his wife, Savannah, have His role, though, is significantly differ- my hard hat on and I go to work every single ference, with some sarcasm drizzled into tania.ganguli@latimes.com
He doesn’t actually drive, which might those days of some of the greatest mob As he discussed what he’s learned from three children — a 14-year-old son, an 11- ent with his children than it is with his day like the rest of them. I just want to lead his words. When someone asked about the
be responsible for keeping him sane. bosses.” the past, James, 33, never specifically men- year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter. teammate. He’s never coached his kids, af- those guys as much as they would like me to book, he nonchalantly explained his love of
From the back seat he sometimes James is reading “Havana Nocturne: tioned Irving. All three of them have a presence on so- ter all. lead.” mob stories. “The Godfather” is one of his ‘Arrive Early, Leave Late’
watches television shows. Often he listens How the Mob Owned Cuba and Then Lost “I can’t give you like a definite point in cial media, with only their youngest having “Their coaches are made to coach their That is the line James must discover. favorite movies. Listen to Lakers beat reporter Tania
to music and will show up at training know- It to the Revolution.” His voice quickens as time but in my 16-year career I’ve learned grown up completely in the Instagram age. youth and have way more patience than I How much do they want him to lead? This stoicism doesn’t represent what Ganguli’s one-on-one interview with
ing the words of a new rap song better than he talks about this subject. every year how to be more and more and “It took almost a year for me to actually have,” James said. “Because I know my- That is a line James keeps in mind. But the Lakers see in him regularly. LeBron James on the premiere
some of his young teammates. That commute complete, he transforms more of a leader,” James said. “And more of put a picture of my daughter on social me- self.” there is a mentality he hopes his team- “He knows everything from top to bot- episode of The Times Sports’ podcast
“He loves Young Dolph,” said Brandon from a parent to a teammate, though he is a communicator and how I can communi- dia,” James said. mates will reach. He knows how to switch tom,” said Ingram, who might not be awe- “Arrive Early, Leave Late.” Download
Ingram, who was born two years before always both. Each role complements the cate to certain guys and get the best out of James grew up in the type of spotlight BY THE TIME THE LAKERS started train- instantly from a lighthearted, jovial mood struck that he gets to share a court with episodes at latimes.com/arriveearly.
James started high school. “Oh my God. other. certain guys. One thing that you learn when that he doesn’t want for his kids. ing camp, James had been in the gym for to a focused, business-like attitude. James, but he is amazed at that. “Songs.V12 S U NDAY , O C T O B E R 14 , 2 018 L AT I M ES . C O M/ S P O RT S
NBA PREVIEW: CLIPPERS
2018-19 SEASON SCHEDULE
Shade denotes home game. Times Pacific.
OCTOBER
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
14 15 16 17 DEN 18 19 OKC 20
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Prime Prime
21 HOU 22 23 NO 24 25 26 HOU 27
6 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m.
Prime, NBA FS West Prime
28 WAS 29 30 OKC 31
6:30 p.m. 5 p.m.
Prime Prime
NOVEMBER
SUN MON TUE WED THU
FRI SAT
12 PHI
ORL 3
4 p.m.
4 p.m.
FS West
Prime
4 5 MIN 6 7 8 POR
9 10 MIL
7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 12:30 p.m.
Prime Prime Prime
11 12 GS 13 14 15
16 SA 17 BKN
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 3 p.m.
Prime, NBA TNT Prime
18 19 ATL 20 WAS 21 22
23 MEM 24
4:30 p.m. 4 p.m. 12:30 p.m.
Prime Prime Prime
25 POR 26 27 28 PHX 29 SAC 30
6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Prime Prime TNT
DECEMBER
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1
2 DAL3 NO 4 5 MEM 6 7 8 MIA
4 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Prime Prime Prime Prime
9 10 PHX 11 TOR 12 13 SA 14 15 OKC
6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6 p.m.
Prime Prime, NBA Prime Prime
16 17 POR 18 19 20 DAL 21 22 DEN
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2 p.m.
Prime TNT Prime Allen J. Schaben Los Angeles Times
23 GS 24 25 26 SAC 27 28 LAL 29 SA DANILO GALLINARI has all the tools to be an impact player for the Clippers — a 36% three-point shoot-
5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. er at 6 foot 10 — but he has to stay healthy. He has sat out a third of his regular-season games in the NBA.
READY FOR
Prime Prime Prime, NBA Prime
30 31
JANUARY
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 PHI 2 3 4 PHX 5
7:30 p.m. 6 p.m.
Prime Prime
SPOTLIGHT
6 ORL 7 8 CHA 9 10 DEN 11 12 DET
12:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 12:30 p.m.
Prime Prime Prime Prime
13 14 NO 15 16 UTA 17 18 GS 19
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Prime Prime Prime
20 SA 21 22 DAL 23 MIA 24 25 CHI 26
4 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5 p.m.
Prime Prime Prime Prime
27 SAC 28 ATL 29 30 31 LAL
12:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Prime Prime, NBA Prime
In a city of stars, Gallinari hopes he can finally shine for Clippers
FEBRUARY
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Bron James’ arrival to the Lakers and ing, would happily close his social me-
By Andrew Greif a conference topped by the dynastic dia accounts.
1 2 DET
2 p.m. Golden State Warriors. He knows his injury-prone reputa-
FS West Danilo Gallinari lives near the To do that, however, Gallinari must tion despite attempts at insulation.
3 TOR 4 5 CHA 6 7 IND 8 9 BOS beach in a city he loves where the first unlock his own potential. “It’s tough because it’s not the
Noon 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 5 p.m. weather is ideal and he is paid $21.5 mil- He has sat out a third of his regular- truth,” he said. “I had two big injuries,
Prime Prime Prime Prime lion to play the game of basketball. season games in the NBA, a total that one in my back my rookie year and
10 11 MIN 12 13 PHX 14 15 16 Since agreeing to a three-year deal doesn’t include missing the entire 2013- when I was in Denver, my knee. Other
5 p.m. 7:30 p.m. worth $65 million and moving to Los 14 season in Denver because of a torn than that, I played every season. … I
Prime Prime Angeles last year, the Clippers’ for- knee ligament. Recurring hand and had small injuries that everybody else
17 18 19 20 21 22 MEM 23 ward has walked the red carpet at the glute injuries sent him in and out of the has. A little strain, you’re out one week.
5 p.m. premieres of “Venom” and “It.” He Clippers lineup last year and limited Twist your ankle, out two weeks.”
Prime once spied one of his favorite actors him to 21games in what he called “may- Whether the injuries were big or
24 DEN 25 DAL 26 27 UTA 28 while out to dinner, then was stunned be the toughest season of my career.” small, Gallinari acknowledged they
2 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. when the star, Omari Hardwick of The frustrating experience was a have kept him from playing his best
Prime Prime, NBA Prime “Power,” walked to his table to intro- reason why All Sport Yoga’s Kent basketball. In hopes of changing that,
duce himself. Katich found himself working with he skipped international games this
MARCH “He came to find me and I’m like, Gallinari weeks earlier than usual this summer with the Italian national team
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT ‘Holy …’ ” Gallinari said. “It’s crazy, be- offseason, and sensed a different focus and underwent a revamped regimen of
1 SAC 2 cause you see these famous actors or from a player he’d long regarded as ma- yoga, Pilates and pickup games in L.A.
7 p.m. actresses and I’m like, ‘Oh, I want a pic- ture and easygoing. His one-hour sessions with Katich are
Prime ture with you!’ and they’re like ‘No, I “I think he knows that this is his as much about developing confidence
3 NYK 4 LAL 5 6 7 8 OKC 9 want a picture with you!’ ” team now and it wasn’t before,” said in his mind as flexibility in his hips.
12:30 p.m.7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. As a child growing up in a small Katich, who met Gallinari in 2008. “It “You get hurt and people say stuff
Prime Prime, NBA Prime farming community south of Milan, It- was Blake [Griffin’s] team and it was and it kind of can take a toll on you
10 11 BOS 12 POR 13 14 15 CHI 16 aly, where his family owned the only DeAndre [Jordan’s] team, this is my emotionally as well as physically,”
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. basketball hoop in town, Gallinari opinion, I could tell by watching him he Katich said. “For me, it was getting him
Prime, NBA Prime Prime, NBA would have had difficulty predicting a was deferring. He was letting them do confident with his body and what it
17 BKN 18 19 IND 20 21 22 CLE 23 life this good. what they do because he was the new can do again.”
6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. But what Gallinari wants now is a kid on the block. It was the first summer that Galli-
Prime Prime, NBA Prime truly great season. “Now they’re both gone, I think he nari focused solely on his own devel-
24 NYK 25 26 MIN 27 28 MIL 29 30 CLE A career 36% three-point shooter understands that he makes the most opment, according to his father.
9 a.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 12:30 p.m. who, at 6-foot-10, has the length to money and he’s the longest-tenured “I think that Danilo feels the right
Prime FS West Prime Prime guard multiple positions, Gallinari is and probably the most talented, so it’s pressure,” his father wrote by email.
31 MEM tailor-made for the modern NBA. on him. He takes it personal and I “Last year when he signed with Clip-
7:30 p.m. Coach Doc Rivers envisions him as a think he’s taking that responsibility pers [he] wanted to prove to be an im-
Prime floor-spacing shooter with freedom to that he’s going to do everything in his portant player for the team, unfortu-
create off the dribble, saying he’s best capability to lead. Being a leader nately due to injuries he had not the
APRIL with the ball in his hands. means you’ve got to be on the court.” opportunity to prove it. This year he
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT “Gallo is probably our best facilita- On the advice of his father, Vittorio, wants to do it.”
1 2 3 HOU 4 5 LAL 6 tor on the team, so when you take him a former pro player in Milan alongside Early returns have encouraged Riv-
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. out of the lineup, you can see the extra Mike D’Antoni, Gallinari has for years ers, who said Gallinari is “in the best
Prime, NBA TBD passes missed,” Rivers said. disregarded what is said or written place that I’ve seen him since we’ve
7 GS 8 9 10 UTA 11 12 13 At his best, Gallinari could unlock about him. He avoids newspapers, had him.”
5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. the Clippers’ potential as they fight for doesn’t watch the NBA in his down-
Prime, NBA Prime relevance in a city dominated by Le- time and, if not for his personal brand- andrew.greif@latimes.com
HEALTH IS THEIR BIGGEST ISSUE
Clippers beat reporter Andrew Greif tackles the five biggest questions surrounding the team as it enters the 2018-19 NBA season:
1 Can the Clippers stay heal-
thy?
pillars are mostly healthy now and
their presence gives the Clippers
pick belongs to Boston if not. and his ability to adjust on the fly
during games has impressed.
Look no further than that
opening stretch for a litmus test of
Injuries crippled the team last
season to the point that G-League
one of the league’s deepest rosters
for the moment. How long Rivers 3 Will the Clippers add an All-
Star before 2019 free agency?
“I remember a guy named
Jordan was pretty smart, LeBron
the Clippers’ potential.
players were occasionally flown in
the morning of their NBA call-ups
for games they would start hours
will have a full rotation at his
disposal remains the overarching
question of the season.
Los Angeles was among a short
list of preferred destinations for
All-Star guard Jimmy Butler after
was pretty smart, Rivers not so
smart,” Rivers said. “Those are
things we didn’t know about Shai
5 Whom will the Clippers turn
to for scoring in the clutch?
The Clippers’ defensive ambi-
later. Coach Doc Rivers used a he demanded a trade from Minne- and he’s teaching us that he’s a lot tions, built around a potential
league-high 37 different starting
lineups. So health is the caveat in 2 Will the Clippers keep their
first-round pick?
sota in September, but there has
been no traction in trade talks
smarter than we knew.” lineup of excellent stoppers in-
cluding Beverley, Bradley and
any discussion regarding the
Clippers’ ceiling.
“Health plays a big part in
Despite their rash of injuries
last season, the Clippers weren’t
eliminated from playoff con-
between the sides through the
preseason. The question is
whether the risk of giving up a
4 How will they fare against a
difficult early schedule?
Twelve of the Clippers’ 14
Mbah a Moute, have been no
secret during the preseason.
“We want to be the best defen-
anything,” said guard Patrick tention until Game 80 of 82. Stay potential future All-Star, such as games to open the season are sive team in the league,” Mbah a
Beverley , “and the healthiest healthy, the thinking goes, and forward Tobias Harris or rookie against opponents that made the Moute said.
team usually wins.” they have an outside shot in the guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is playoffs last season and expect to If their defense has the poten-
Beverley (knee), Avery Bradley ultradifficult Western Conference worth adding a star in his prime return in 2019. That includes two tial to keep them in every game,
(abdominal muscles) and Danilo at pushing for a return to the such as Butler, who could earn a games against Houston, last year’s scoring in crunch time remains an
Gallinari (hand, glute) were key postseason for the first time in two maximum contract next summer top seed in the West, and one unknown. Finding the team’s
additions last season whose im- years. and take up a big chunk of the against reigning champion Gold- offensive “closers” has been a
pact never materialized because A playoff berth would also cost team’s cap space well into his 30s. en State. Consider too that on priority for Rivers in the preseason
they couldn’t stay on the floor. Luc the franchise, however. The team’s Gilgeous-Alexander, in particu- opening night they face the Den- and he has three obvious candi-
Mbah a Moute (shoulder) missed first-round pick in the 2019 NBA lar, is viewed as a potential star, ver Nuggets, who missed last dates in Harris, Gallinari and Lou
critical games in the playoffs with draft is top-14 protected, which and not only by the Clippers. He season’s playoffs despite a winning Williams, the NBA’s reigning sixth
Houston before signing with the allows the Clippers to keep it was voted the steal of the draft in a record and are a trendy pick to be man of the year. Beyond them,
Clippers in free agency. Those should they pick in the lottery. The survey of NBA general managers a contender in the West this year. though, are few obvious answers.L AT I ME S . CO M / S P O RT S S U N DAY, O C T OB E R 14 , 2 018 V13
NBA PREVIEW: CLIPPERS
Jayne Kamin-Oncea Getty Images
“I PLAY HARD,” says the Clippers’ Patrick Beverley, left, shown with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, and Avery Bradley. “You like it, you don’t like it, whatever.”
FIGHTIN’ WORDS
The Clippers might not be getting the headlines, and they really aren’t considered
playoff contenders, but they are determined to win. Even if it means winning ugly.
Houston Rockets will run one iso- being in the uneasy limbo between ball and contain it, and I think they saying we’re a mediocre basketball
By Andrew Greif lation set after another for their the league’s contenders and re- have some athletic pieces that will team.”
reigning league MVP. builders; just 15 Clippers games are be good.” When Beverley latched on in the
Patrick Beverley wasn’t search- What the Clippers say they have scheduled for national broadcasts That defense held the Lakers to NBA he understood he “fit the per-
ing for anything specific when he is a collective toughness they be- this season. 37 second-half points during an sona of the tough guy” because of
walked into the bookstore this lieve can coalesce into a disruptive While the attention is elsewhere Oct. 6 preseason game the Clip- his Chicago upbringing and long
summer. presence. Few projections include across the NBA, the Clippers left pers won “ugly,” Rivers said, in road to get there. Even if he didn’t
A trainer in his hometown of them as a playoff team, and under- the preseason encouraged from what might be a template for the care what people thought, he knew
Chicago had suggested he read standably so. What they guarantee what they’d seen. Marcin Gortat, rest of the season. what they expected and played up
more in order to “open up my is that night after night, they plan Mike Scott, Shai Gilgeous-Alexan- “If you’re able to come out and his image by lashing out at officials,
mind,” and it was with an open to be a nagging headache for oppo- der, Jerome Robinson and Luc punk teams defensively,” Bradley feuding with Russell Westbrook
mind that Beverley browsed the nents more comfortably en- Mbah a Moute were the official off- said, “I feel like no matter what and jawing at opposing coaches.
shelves. trenched in the Western Confer- season additions but it can feel like happens on the offensive end, we’ll He once told Rivers in the middle of
That’s when he saw the paper- ence’s upper half. a brand-new roster given the re- be in every single game.” a game that he’d crushed Rivers’
back. “When you come in to play the turns from injury by Beverley, The Clippers’ previous iteration Chicago alma mater while in high
“I think it chose me,” he said. Clippers every night you’re going to Avery Bradley, Danilo Gallinari under Rivers wasn’t always the school (in fact, Beverley’s team
The 30-year-old Clippers guard be exhausted, you’re going to be fa- and Milos Teodosic. Combined, most well-liked of groups, either, as lost).
has been underlining passages in tigued, just mentally, emotionally they missed 194 games last season. All-Stars Chris Paul, Blake Griffin Beverley’s summer reading led
“The Courage to Be Disliked” ever drained,” forward Montrezl Har- Together finally during the pre- and DeAndre Jordan rode referees him to take a hard look at himself.
since. It describes a “Japanese phe- rell said. “When you look up at who season, players have described a and dunked on opponents. Bever- Change was needed.
nomenon that shows you how to you’re going to play tonight and it unity of purpose that wasn’t always ley, who joined in 2017 via the trade “I felt like I was doing it the
change your life and achieve real says Los Angeles Clippers, you just the case during the oft-fractious that sent Paul to Houston, didn’t wrong way,” he said. “I felt like I was
happiness.” go into the game like, ‘Man, we got Lob City era. regard the Clippers as tough last going out purposely doing …. for
Beverley happens to be some- to play them? Man, this is going to “We don’t have nobody on this season because he didn’t feel their people to not like me.”
thing of an authority on the topic of be a fight tonight.’ That’s just who team that thinks they’re bigger mind-set was right. Beverley, just like the Clippers,
being disliked. we want to be.” than the program or thinks it’s all Now he looks across a locker must find an edge to have a chance,
He elbowed his way into the Beverley embodies that atti- about them,” Harrell said. room and sees players who all have but the adjustment comes from
league six seasons ago after stops tude, punching teammates in the One year after the Clippers fin- felt doubted. Pride is a potent mo- trying to be smarter while doing so.
in Ukraine, Greece and Russia by chest as they check in at the scor- ished19th in defensive rating, there tivator, and they feel forgotten in a When a rookie argued a call during
playing a brand of unrelenting de- er’s table, but it has been widely are internal expectations of estab- loaded West. a preseason practice, Beverley im-
fense that reflected his lack of con- embraced. lishing a top-five defense should Ten of the conference’s 15 teams plored him from the sideline to
cern for making friends. He has “We’re going to win our way and they stay healthy. A crunch-time hold higher win-total projections “move on.”
stayed in the NBA by staying in the we’re not going to apologize for lineup could potentially feature than the Clippers’ 371⁄2, according The rookie, he knew, was wast-
jerseys of opponents who don’t al- how we play,” coach Doc Rivers three of the league’s best veteran to the Westgate Superbook in Las ing his breath — as is anyone who
ways appreciate his fervor. said. “This is us and we’re good stoppers in Beverley, Bradley and Vegas. That’s less than last year’s thinks Beverley will care what they
Still, he left inspired by the with that.” Mbah a Moute. record of 42-40, even though in- think of his game.
book’s teachings — and believes his If the Clippers hit it big in free “They do have some versatile juries riddled that team. “I play hard,” he said. “You like
Clippers teammates are on the agency next summer and add two pieces, the speed and the quick- “We don’t have a lot of push- it, you don’t like it, whatever. I’m
same page too. marquee players to maximum-sal- ness I think, with a guy like Bever- overs in this locker room,” guard here to win.”
In the NBA in 2018-19, the Gold- ary contracts, as is possible, the ley on the ball, it starts there,” Min- Lou Williams said. “I think that
en State Warriors hold the rings, franchise will re-enter the NBA nesota coach Tom Thibodeau said. goes a long way. Especially with a andrew.greif@latimes.com
the Lakers boast The King and the spotlight. They exist for the time “He has the ability to pressure the lot of people just writing us off and Twitter: @andrewgreifYou can also read
