Los Angeles Lakers: Three things to look forward to this season

With the preseason heading to a close, what can Los Angeles Lakers fans expect heading into the season based off of the preseason? If the preseason is any preview of what’s to come, be prepared to be joyous, Lakers fans.

Over the course of a few preseason games, we’ve gotten a taste of what could possibly be the Los Angeles Lakers‘ future this season. Incredible plays by both LeBron James and Anthony Davis, shot-making abilities from Danny Green to Quinn Cook, and inspired defense from the team as a whole.

As of right now, the team looks to be connected. LeBron is making all the right passes and plays, and so far, all of the role players are exceeding their expectations, except for a couple of guys. If you haven’t watched any of the preseason games, here are three things I would expect from the team after seeing them warm up to each other.

1. Defense: staying motivated and hustling

The defense for this Los Angeles Lakers team so far has been the bright and shining star that I’ve noticed. Not only is it a drastic improvement from the last couple of years, but it seems as if everyone on the team is on board with outplaying their opponents on the defensive end.

From the few games that have been on display, Avery Bradley, LeBron, AD, and Danny Green have impressed with their defense thus far.

LeBron seems to have found a second wind so far, playing much harder on the defensive end compared to last year. Bradley has shown out so far in camp and in the preseason, proving to be a great pickup for the Lakers this off-season. Especially with his relentlessness on the defensive end.

Everyone and their mommas knew that AD was going to show out this year. So far he is, and he seems to really want to get that Defensive Player of the Year award as he has been incredibly solid on both ends of the floor.

Danny Green’s play has surprised me this preseason. He is knocking down shots with confidence and most importantly, hustling on defense and getting stops for the team.

That’s just four guys on the roster who have shinned defensively in my eyes based on the preseason, but the whole team is, in fact, shinning as a whole defensively.

2. Beyond The Arc: three-point shooting

Last season the team struggled to shoot behind the arc, and don’t even get me started on the free throws last year as well. Last season the Lakers only shot a measly 33% behind the arc. Which in today’s NBA is one way to shoot yourself in the foot.

So far this preseason the Lakers have far exceeded their awful three-point shooting. Just last night against the Warriors the team shot 50%! from three. Although that will more than likely be rare to happen again.

It still looks like the team this season will improve immensely shooting from the three. With additions like Danny Green, Quinn Cook, Troy Daniels, and Avery Bradley I wouldn’t expect anything less.

3. Coaching: the right rotations and experiments

The new coaching staff seems to have worked even better than I thought. Frank Vogel and his staff are making the right rotations and know when to leave players in and when to take players out. Which, if you watched the Los Angeles Lakers the past couple of years, you would have seen Luke Walton continuously mess up on those specific things.

Not only does the coaching staff seem to have a much better understanding of the players, they also seem to have a much more effective approach for this team. The coaching staff and the team are taking this season very seriously and it shows when the Lakers take the court. Hardworking defense, smart offense, and knowing when to use plays or foul.

Even the more experimental lineups Vogel has made, make sense, and if they don’t work out, he and his staff know who to plug-in and when to plug players out.

With both the coaching staff and the team being so connected this early on, it only seems like a great sign for whats t come for the Lakers this upcoming season.