Training camp is officially in the books for the Los Angeles Lakers with the team wrapping up their final practice on Friday before their preseason opener on Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Following the final whistle at the team's practice facility on Friday, Lakers newcomer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope spoke to the media about his first training camp in Los Angeles. The 24-year-old came away impressed by what his saw from his new teammates following four straight days of two-a-day practices, especially concerning their mental focus throughout the week.
“We've been competing,” Caldwell-Pope said on the last day of training camp. “We've been putting in a lot of things. Everybody has been paying attention. Everybody has been mentally focused. Fatigue has kicked in a little bit, but just being mentally focused has really impressed me so far.”
With so many young players and incoming veterans, it's a good sign for the Lakers that focus has stood to the player that could be the team's best defender. Defense has been emphasized throughout training camp by head coach Luke Walton as Los Angeles tries to become a dominant force on both ends of the floor this season.
Caldwell-Pope is expected to be the starting shooting guard for the Lakers to start the 2017-18 campaign with Jordan Clarkson coming off the bench. The defensive-minded guard will make his debut in purple and gold against the Timberwolves with the tall task of guarding Jimmy Butler right out of the gate.
Although it is only preseason, it'll be interesting to see whether this young team has taken a step forward defensively with the addition of Caldwell-Pope and the defensive principles being emphasized during training camp.
Saturday's game will be one of six preseason matchups with the Lakers also scheduled to face the Denver Nuggets (twice), Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, and L.A. Clippers before the regular-season opener on Oct. 19.
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