As Lakers training camp opens up on Tuesday, there is one certainty: It’s going
to get competitive.
Just ask 90-year-old consultant Bill Bertka — an NBA legend who has spent 50
years in the league. According to Bertka, he has “never seen a young group of
Lakers players compete like this ever.”
Here, we take a look at the 20 men who will be going at on the hardwood at the
UCLA Health Training Center.
The work never stops. pic.twitter.com/GGgVsaNvgF
POINT GUARDS Lonzo Ball As a First Team All-American, second-overall draft pick
and Summer League MVP, it’s hard to imagine Lonzo Ball entering his first
training camp with any more momentum. The 19-year-old shattered expectations at
Summer League with his all-around play, averaging 16.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and
2.5 steals while dishing an event-record 9.3 assists and collecting two
triple-doubles.
Second triple-double of the summer for Lonzo. Keep it up young fella
A post shared by Los Angeles Lakers (@lakers) on Jul 13, 2017 at 9:56pm PDT
Tyler Ennis A midseason acquisition last year, Ennis played his way into another
contract with the Lakers over the summer. Ennis played some of the best ball of
his young career toward the end of the season, impressing in April with his
3-point shooting (44.4 percent) and defense.
Ennis goes behind the back to T-Rob who throws it down! #LakeShow (: @SpectrumSN
& @spectdeportes) pic.twitter.com/4Wq0VUhM6o
Alex Caruso Those who paid attention to his rookie season in the NBA G League
knew that Caruso — a 6-foot-5 ball-hawking guard — could hold his own. He did
just that in Summer League, earning the Lakers’ first two-way contract,
averaging 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists in his two starts in place
of Ball.
Caruso cleans up the miss with a nice two-handed slam #LakersSummer (:
@SpectrumSN & ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/c7Tnv7sDOp
Briante Weber Having been called up to four NBA teams in two years, Weber is
looking to find himself a permanent home. He did it all in the NBA G League last
year, putting up 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists and a league-best 3.3
steals. He promises to amp the competition at camp, as Josh Hart considers him
the best trash-talker on the squad.
Training Camp Is That you looking like how you looking #DrillSzn #NewBeginning
#Deuce
A post shared by Briante “Deuce” Weber (@sir_deuce2) on Sep 21, 2017 at 8:45am
PDT
SHOOTING GUARDS Kentavious Caldwell-Pope The Lakers’ defense ranked toward the
bottom of the league last season, so the front office made it a point of
emphasis to bring someone capable of locking down opposing wings. Enter KCP, a
bulldog defender capable both on and off the ball. At the other end,
Caldwell-Pope likes to play in transition and is looking to provide some 3-point
shooting as well.
Putting in a little work!!
A post shared by Kentavious Caldwell-pope (@caldwellpope) on Jul 21, 2017 at
9:42am PDT
Jordan Clarkson JC’s third year in the NBA saw him shuffle through different
roles, playing point guard and shooting guard, starting and coming off the
bench. As Clarkson looks for more stability in year four, he will also aim for
the Sixth Man of the Year Award (at Magic Johnson’s encouragement), having
ranked fourth among scoring reserves last season with 14.4 points.
A post shared by JordanClarkson (@jordanclarksons) on Aug 13, 2017 at 12:52pm
PDT
Vander Blue The reigning NBA G League MVP impressed at Summer League by shedding
his reputation as a pure scorer and creating offense for his teammates. However,
filling the bucket is still Blue’s greatest gift, as his elite slashing led to
24.8 points for the South Bay Lakers last year.
Miami but far from a vacay ! pic.twitter.com/FDgtTp4xxk
SMALL FORWARDS Brandon Ingram The 2016 second-overall pick wasted no time this
offseason, constantly working out, even in the Bahamas and at 8 a.m. over
Memorial Day weekend. Physically, Ingram added some muscle to his 6-foot-9
frame, which should serve him well when attacking the basket and playing
defense. He also reworked his jumper after hitting just 29.4 percent of
3-pointers last year, which should help in his quest to meet Magic’s goal for
him: leading the Lakers in scoring.
Lonzo finds Ingram to open the Lakers’ Summer League scoring
A post shared by Los Angeles Lakers (@lakers) on Jul 7, 2017 at 6:03pm PDT
Corey Brewer The NBA’s current iron man looks to extend his 277-games-played
streak this season after appearing in all 82 for the third time in his career.
While Brewer’s 20.8 3-point percentage last year left much to be desired, the
31-year-old was an active defender and positive locker-room presence also
capable of scoring in transition.
Brewer steals the pass and takes it all the way for a two-handed slam #LakeShow
(: @SpectrumSN & @spectdeportes) pic.twitter.com/jCgzV1NTbF
Luol Deng The 32-year-old Deng is coming off a frustrating season that saw him
record career-lows in scoring (7.6) and field goal percentage (38.7). The
two-time All-Star started for more than half the year, but will have to adjust
to coming off the bench. He could also see some time at power forward — where
he has been most effective later in his career — though minutes figure to be
scarce at that position crowded with young talent.
Deng gets up twice to protect the rim! #LakeShow (: @SpectrumSN &
@spectdeportes) pic.twitter.com/8AIjklrSWb
Josh Hart Despite averaging 18.7 points as a First Team All-American last year,
Hart is focused on making an impact on defense this year. The reigning Big East
Co-Defensive Player of the Year wasn’t able to show much at Summer League, as a
mild ankle sprain sidelined him just two games in.
Lonzo finds Josh Hart who finishes strong at the basket #LakersSummer (:
@SpectrumSN & ESPN) pic.twitter.com/QM2QJnFJC1
V.J. Beachem An undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame, Beachem aims to prove
himself as a 3 and D prospect at camp. He shot 39.2 percent from deep in South
Bend and also showed the ability to connect from mid-range. He will need to
regain that form at training camp after going just 2-of-14 from the field at
Summer League.
A post shared by Lakers Scene (@lakersscene) on Aug 25, 2017 at 1:09pm PDT
POWER FORWARDS Julius Randle When Magic Johnson told his players that he
expected them to come to camp in the best shape of their lives, Randle was
clearly listening. The 22-year-old is ripped after slimming down while
maintaining muscle over the offseason. He averaged a double-double in his first
season, then upped his scoring and assisting last year. We’ll see what this
campaign has to offer.
Working on my upper body strength with some resistance mixed in. Always go with
an @officialmetrx BIG 100 Bar post-workout. Gotta fuel the fire #TeamMETRx #AD
A post shared by Julius Randle (@juliusrandle30) on Sep 1, 2017 at 5:36pm PDT
Larry Nance Jr. A natural leader, Nance personally took the Lakers’ rookies
under his wing over the offseason and maintained a constant presence on the
court and in the weight room of the UCLA Health Training Center. Nance has a
do-it-all kind of game that includes setting screens, playing defense and making
hockey assists. But he should see an uptick in his traditional numbers after
putting up 7.1 points and 5.9 rebounds last year.
#LakeShow
A post shared by Lakers Scene (@lakersscene) on Jul 28, 2017 at 1:25pm PDT
Kyle Kuzma The term “steal of the draft” was often tagged to Kuzma during the
27th pick’s scintillating Summer League. He did what he wanted offensively,
averaging 21.9 points — the fourth-most in Las Vegas — while hitting a robust
48.0 percent of 3-pointers. Though that level of red-hot shooting may not be
sustainable over an 82-game season, it is certainly an encouraging start for the
Summer League championship game MVP.
HIGHLIGHTS: Kyle Kuzma finishes with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and a nice piece of
hardware as the Championship Game MVP #LakersSummer pic.twitter.com/39ZzuU2mVc
CENTERS Brook Lopez The Lakers added one of the league’s best offensive centers
over the offseason, as Lopez brings 20.5 points per game with him to Los Angeles
— the second-highest average among fives. While he’s excellent at posting up,
Lopez has also adapted to the modern game by hitting 1.8 3-pointers on a 36.4
percent clip.
Breaking in the new room
A post shared by Los Angeles Lakers (@lakers) on Aug 7, 2017 at 11:46am PDT
Andrew Bogut Just six days before camp, the Lakers signed a top rim protector in
Bogut, who held opponents to the third-worst percentage at the hoop two years
ago. A gifted passer as well, Bogut’s main question will be his health. The
12-year vet played just a quarter of last season before breaking his tibia,
though it did not require surgery.
Bogut block Barnes dunk #MFFL pic.twitter.com/nkmHe7ZMkM
Ivica Zubac Zubac unexpectedly struggled at Summer League, averaging 10.9
points, 5.4 rebounds and 47.1 percent shooting. However, the 20-year-old will
always be his own loudest critic and has the work ethic to do something about
it. Last season Zubac was among the team’s most frequent visitors to the weight
room, and he kept up the pace over the summer.
Great summer of work with my man @gunnarfitness !!! Ready for the training camp!
#lakeshow
A post shared by Ivica Zubac (@ivicazubac) on Sep 21, 2017 at 2:05pm PDT
Thomas Bryant A seemingly endless source of energy, Bryant is looking to exert
that on teammates at camp. Hailed by General Manager Rob Pelinka as a potential
rim protector and 3-point shooter, the 42nd pick showed a bit of both skills at
Summer League.
Thomas Bryant at the buzzer! #LakersSummer (: @SpectrumSN & ESPN2)
pic.twitter.com/fb8LjnyA1z
Stephen Zimmerman A 7-footer drafted 41st overall last year, Zimmerman is
seeking an NBA home after spending the majority of last season in the G League.
He did well with the Erie BayHawks, averaging 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.3
blocks; but appeared in only 19 games for the Orlando Magic.
Summer league round
A post shared by Stephen Zimmerman (@stephenzimmerman) on Jul 2, 2017 at 5:57am
PDT
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