Reason for Hope in LA?

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bleacherreport.com
By: Demitry Johnson
 
Last night the Los Angeles Lakers were very impressive leaving a lot of people leaving Staples Center and watching around the league very optimistic about this team. Last night the Lakers open their season against a Houston Rocket team who, lets just face it, are suppose to be superior to this young Laker team with a 120-114 victory. If you look at the box score for the Houston Rockets you might ask how do you lose to the Lakers when James Harden has 34 points 17 assist and 8 rebounds, Eric Gordon seems to be back to his college days scoring 19 points and Clint Capella, who is an upgrade over Dwight Howard getting 16 points and 9 rebounds. There were 3 keys to last night and the Lakers off-season that contributed to that win. 

1. Effort was consistent all night, through the runs Houston made, some questionable calls, this young team still for 4 quarters played with the right effort and energy.


nba.com
2. Bench depth.. The bench for the Lakers prematurely might be tops in the league but before you call me crazy listen Jordan Clarkson my pick for sixth man of the year had 25 in which 23 came in the second half, Lou Williams who can definitely feel it up had 12 and the #2 overall pick didn't disappoint with 9 off the bench. But even outside of the points contribution Black and Nance Jr contributed with high energy on the glass and defense, Huertas a true point this just may be a top 5 if not the best bench in the league. 

3. LUKE WALTON!!! Who said the Lakers couldn't land top tier free agents anymore?? He may have been the best offseason acquisition.. Luke Walton finger prints was all over the game last night. Effort, intensity, having fun and need I even say defense was even flashed with the Lakers holding Houston to just 18 fourth quarter points. It one thing that was very obvious last night and that's this young team loves playing for him and he loves coaching them. They have bought in and sold out to his system and it's only game 1 of 82 that should give Laker Nation plenty of hope. I'm not sure about the playoffs but this team will see exceedingly more success then years past.

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