Two days into Los Angeles Lakers training camp, LeBron James specifically cited three newcomers who have stood out (other than the obvious: Russell Westbrook).
“K. Nunn, Baze, and DJ,” LeBron told reporters after the Lakers second day of practice — as in Kendrick Nunn, Kent Bazemore, and DeAndre Jordan — when asked whose stood out. “They’ve picked up some things … Baze, K. Nunn and DJ have been playing really good ball for us, learning our system really fast.”
In general, LeBron said Los Angeles has put forth a “good two days so far” at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo.
“All part of the process,” he added. “Continue to work out habits. Continue to emphasize what we want to do, offensively and defensively, and just building a culture.”
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said Jordan and Bazemore have received a good chunk of minutes in lineups alongside James, Westbrook, and Anthony Davis, though the Lakers will continue to mix and match throughout camp (and likely into the regular season). He expects no starting lineup decisions before the final two preseason games.
Nunn is one of two Lakers outside of the 360° stars (along with Talen Horton-Tucker) who is playing on more than a minimum contract. The. 26-year old combo guard signed a two-year, $10 million deal in August.
Nunn, Bazemore, and Jordan have not been the only Lakers to impress in the first week of training camp. Vogel and James both had plaudits for the intensity and energy of Russell Westbrook, though LeBron isn't surprised.
“Nothing that he’s not showing me that I didn’t already know,” James said when asked what Westbrook has displayed. “Just what a fierce competitor he is. Such a great teammate as well, a communicator.”
For the second day in a row, Vogel cited Westbrook's speed.
“Russell Westbrook’s pretty good. He’s good at basketball,” Vogel dryly cracked. “His speed, and not just in the open court — the downhill driving, paint-attacking nature of his game has really been something else to watch up close in practice the last couple days. I think Lakers fans are going to be thrilled to see what he looks like purple-and-gold.”
In general, Vogel praised the Lakers' competitive spirit in Thursday's practice, especially “once they turned the scoreboard on” and the team began running 5-on-5.
Lastly, it seems as though Carmelo Anthony has brought his A-game to camp, too.
“I don't think Melo's missed since he's been a Laker,” Rajon Rondo said.
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