LOS ANGELES – LeBron James and Anthony Davis are what makes the Los Angeles Lakers a championship-caliber team this season. Both superstars have played exceptionally well in the 19 games in the books for the purple and gold, but the role players on the squad have also been making solid contributions in limited time on the floor.

Quinn Cook is one of those role players, and he made his presence known in the team's win over the Washington Wizards on Friday night at the Staples Center. James, who played with him on the Cleveland Cavaliers, talked about his teammate's effort after the game.

“Quinn was great,” James said of his sharpshooting teammate. “He's a steady guard for us. Any time his number is called, he's going to be ready to play. Shoots the ball extremely well, has a great pace about him, his stop-and-go, his ability to make pull-up jumpers – either catch-and-shoot or off the dribble – and also get into the lane to finish what he did tonight. Great all-around game for him and the rest of the group.”

LeBron played a major role in Cook coming to the Lakers this past summer. The former Cavaliers have remained close since their time shared in Cleveland, and the sharpshooting guard admits James was “instrumental” in getting him to Los Angeles as their relationship started back when he was in high school.

“Me and LeBron have been close since I was in high school,” Quinn Cook said of his relationship with the Lakers superstar. “He's been a big brother to me. Even before we were teammates when I became his rook in Cleveland, he's always been a big brother to me.

“He was instrumental in me coming here, and we're extremely close, so for him to always build me up means the world.”

On Friday, Cook had extended minutes off the bench. In fact, he was on the floor longer than any player that came off the bench for the Lakers with 23 minutes logged against the Wizards. In those minutes, the sharpshooter finished with 17 points and 7-for-11 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

Although Cook doesn't get much time in games this season averaging about 15 per game, the Lakers guard is happy to do it and will continue to get the nod from head coach Frank Vogel if he can keep up this kind of production when called upon this season.