Topic: We wonder what signs of encouragement have been present in the Lakers’ first week of games, despite the 0-4 start.
— Have You Seen These LIMITED EDITION “Mamba Strikes Back” T-Shirts? —
Context: The NBA’s schedule makers did the Los Angeles Lakers no favors with their opening week of games. No other team played four games in the first weekend.
In addition to the four games in five nights, all four games were against teams who won at least 48 games last season. For a team brining in a new coach and a number of new players, winning just one of those games would have been a major accomplishment.
A huge wrench was thrown into the Lakers’ plans when first-round pick Julius Randle suffered a fractured fibula in the season opener, ending his rookie season before it could even get started.
As the team sits at 0-4, the spirit and hope of the fans has been damaged. But despite everything that has gone wrong for the Lakers, there were some encouraging signs in these games.
Kobe Bryant has looked like himself in his comeback from a fractured knee cap. Aside from leaving the team in scoring, he has delivered a number of amazing highlights already. A couple of big men have also shined as Jordan Hill has shown off an improved jumper, and Ed Davis has contributed in a number of ways.
Most importantly, the Lakers have been competitive, especially in the last two games as they gave the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors everything they had in back-to-back tough losses.
Verdict: We went to Twitter to ask the Lakers Nation faithful, despite the 0-4 start, what is the most encouraging thing they have seen from the Lakers this week? These are some of the responses:
@TheeCoreyH Kobe Bean Bryant #LNDebate
— Bobby Orr (@BobbyOrr5) November 2, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation jordan hill has been a bright spot
— 6'8.5&saythe.5 (@bwoooooods) November 2, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation Kobe playing healthy/ Ed "Please Give Him More Minutes" Davis
— Oluwajomiloju (@jadeniran_says) November 2, 2014
@TheeCoreyH heart. The games aren’t blow outs like ppl expected. They’re hanging in there. A win would be good tho.
— Handsome & Healthy (@Aye__Ced) November 2, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation the jump from game 2 to 3. Went from blowouts to competing. Progression. Even after loss of julius
— ryan bryant (@miamimamba) November 2, 2014
@TheeCoreyH every game the chemistry gets better…. Ed Davis is a machine!!!! Kobe looking very good as always
— JEQUAN HAYES (@JMH206) November 2, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation Jordan hill stepped up and it's nice to see Kobe is still a 20+ ppg guy
— Cooter Brown (@OlBoy_) November 2, 2014
@TheeCoreyH energy, tenacity, hunger & although they've lost, the games have been competitive! Plus The Mamba is looking real good #LNDebate
— Nemo's Dad…. (@KlownFiish) November 2, 2014
A lot of love for Kobe as expected, and Davis and Hill have also gotten a lot of love from the fans today, but it’s encouraging to see the fans really embracing this team as a whole despite the losses.
I have to agree with the fans that the heart and fight with this team is very encouraging to see. There is a focus and drive with this team that wasn’t there last season, and it really makes all the difference.
The offense will get better. The ball is already moving around more and the team looks fluid as a whole. The difference on offense from the first two games to the last two games is noticeable. Once Nick Young and Ryan Kelly come back, things will only get better.
While they have struggled to stop teams, it is nice to see them giving consistent effort on that end, and they are forcing a lot of turnover as well. If the team continues to fight like this all year, they will definitely get better as the season goes on, people get healthy, and chemistry improves.
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