Topic: We wonder which player will you be watching most closely in the Los Angeles Lakers first preseason game on Sunday against the Utah Jazz?
Context: The Los Angeles Lakers are set to open their preseason on Sunday against the Utah Jazz. With so many new additions and promising young players, there will be plenty to watch for when the Lakers take the floor.
Second overall pick D’Angelo Russell will obviously have a lot of eyes on him. In all likelihood, he will be the team’s starting point guard from the get-go and will have the ball in his hands a lot. There will be tons of pressure on him as many hope he is the Lakers next superstar to take the torch from Kobe.
Julius Randle will also be making his return after breaking his fibula in last year’s season opener. He struggled in Summer League play, but everyone who has practiced with or against, him has raved about his talent, strength and potential.
When it comes to veterans, many will be eager to see how Roy Hibbert and Lou Williams look in their new environments. Nick Young will also be looking to redeem himself after a subpar 2015 campaign. Young players like Robert Upshaw, Johnathan Holmes, and Larry Nance Jr. could all turn heads as well.
With so many unknowns on the roster and a lot of players with potential to make an impact this season and beyond, a lot of eyes will be on the Lakers. However, which player will be most closely watched in the opener?
Verdict: We went to Twitter to ask the Lakers Nation faithful which player they will be most closely watching in the team’s preseason opener on Sunday. These are some of the responses:
@TheeCoreyH Julius Randle. Looking to see him more in control and hitting some mid range jumpers. #LNDebate
— Ryan Soares (@ryangsoares) October 3, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation D'Angelo Russell. Specifically his playmaking abilities #LNDebate
— SAVAGE LAKERS FAN (@LegendaryLakers) October 3, 2015
@TheeCoreyH it's got to be Russell. I wanna see if he improved from SL as well as to see if that foot injury is any hindrance #LNDebate
— Alex Enriquez (@bballtalks) October 3, 2015
@TheeCoreyH of course upshaw #LNDebate
— dabz106 (@dabz106) October 3, 2015
@TheeCoreyH Randle. Excited to see if the game has slowed down for him or is he still pressing too much like in the summer league. #LNDebate
— Voja Soprano (@Vojamies) October 3, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation Russel and Randle. We gotta see what they can do. And I'm watching for improvements from Clarkson #LNDebate
— nam (@BasketballNam) October 3, 2015
The people have spoken and while Upshaw, Hibbert, Clarkson and Kobe each got a couple of mentions, the overwhelming majority of fans will be watching the Lakers’ two lottery picks, D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle. It’s hard to argue with that line of thinking.
Not only are both players basically unknowns at this level, but they are both full of potential. If each of them are able to realize this potential, the Lakers will be in a much better position for the future.
If I had to choose one, I’d probably lean towards Russell because this is such a point guard’s league now, and the Lakers have been lacking at that position for a while now. Russell could be the answer the Lakers have been looking for and Sunday will be his first chance to show why.
