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Lakers: Rookie duo gives positves to take away in preseason opener

By Jason Reed

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: (left to right) Andrew Bogut, Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, Brook Lopez and Stephen Zimmerman of Los Angeles Lakers lock arms during the national anthem before the start of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on September 30, 2017 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: (left to right) Andrew Bogut, Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, Brook Lopez and Stephen Zimmerman of Los Angeles Lakers lock arms during the national anthem before the start of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on September 30, 2017 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers dropped their preseason opener 108-99 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, many postives can be taken from the loss.

Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, Thomas Bryant. The four men that were selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft. Saturday night, in the team’s preseason opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, two of these rookies gave their fans many positives to take away from the action.

Los Angeles dropped the first of six preseason games with a 108-99 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota started their playoff caliber starting five while the Lakers ran a small lineup with no true center. Still, the relatively green Lakers came within nine points of the Timberwolves.

This performance was led by some familiar faces as well as some new faces. Julius Randle dropped 15 points on seven of 14 shooting with seven rebounds and a lone assist. Brandon Ingram scored ten on four of 15 shooting with six rebounds and one assist. Off the bench, Jordan Clarkson made six of 10 shots for 14 points to go along with two rebounds and two assists.

However, the Lakers were led primarily by the new guys in town. Their leading scoring? Twenty-seventh overall selection Kyle Kuzma, with 19 points on nine of 12 shooting off the bench to go with five rebounds.

The man leading the offense and getting his guys’ open looks? No other than Lonzo Ball. Ball showed that he can flirt with a triple-double on a nightly basis with five points, seven rebounds, eight assists and two steals. For a brief moment, the duo was rewinding time back to the NBA Summer League.

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Ball’s biggest area of improvement, at least in this game, was shooting the rock. The rookie point guard made just two shots on nine attempts, one of five from beyond the arc. Defensively, Ball does have some work to be made to compete with NBA level scorers.

The scoring will come. What is most important is Ball’s distribution skills, playmaking ability and most importantly, leadership. For anyone that missed the game, you can watch Ball rifle passes to his teammates and give great looks here.  The kid, at least when it comes to leading an offense, definitely looks like he belongs. Be patient Laker fans, the scoring will come.

As for Kuzma, he is continuing to make his case for the biggest sleeper pick in this year’s draft. Many may have expected Kuzma’s solid play to end at the Summer League, however, it has at least extended to the preseason. With decent minutes off of the bench at small or power forward, Kuzma very well could continue his strong play.

So, while the Lakers did ultimately go down because of some shaky shooting, the great play from Ball and Kuzma certainly give fans more positives than negatives to take away from the preseason opener.

Next: Possible trade packages for Brook Lopez

The biggest thing with this team is patience. Some of these guys cannot even rent a car in the state they play in yet. Give it time, the success will come and Saturday night laid that foundation.

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