Los Angeles Lakers power forward Larry Nance Jr. has been displaying an improved game since the end of last season, with the ability to push the ball in transition and extended range out to the three-point line. On Tuesday, the Lakers played their first preseason game of the year against the Sacramento Kings, and Nance posted an impressive all-around stat line of nine points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, three blocks and one three-pointer.
His head-turning play, combined with the struggles of starting power forward Julius Randle (6 points, 7 rebounds, 4 turnovers, 5 fouls) have made the rumblings that a change might be in order even louder. Randle is certainly talented, but Nance has played with more consistency. However, Nance took to Twitter last night to answer questions, and I asked about the starting question:
Not in the slightest https://t.co/0bwnFWYZyK
— Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) October 7, 2016
Nance’s response was the expected one given the air of optimism surrounding the Lakers right now. The all-for-one, one-for-all mentality has been a welcome change on a team that is very clearly enjoying playing together. We will see if that continues once the Lakers have lost a few games, but for now, they are undefeated in the 2016-2017 season, and all is right in the world.
Nance was later asked which player he would most like to dunk on, and his answer and the exchange that followed was hilarious:
@ivicazubac @ivicazubac @ivicazubac @ivicazubac @ivicazubac @ivicazubac https://t.co/dS0NXrzFSn
— Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) October 7, 2016
You ain't doing that! https://t.co/o9xMUoPKt7
— Ivica Zubac (@ivicazubac) October 7, 2016
????? get some ZUUU https://t.co/0rYZDmj0JO
— Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) October 7, 2016
Only way you can do it- photoshop! https://t.co/NLsR5WDtWj
— Ivica Zubac (@ivicazubac) October 7, 2016
The Lakers have a roster that is full of young talent that isn’t quite ready to win just yet. The hope is that some of these players turn into superstars or at least All-Stars that can help bring the team back to contention in the post-Kobe Bryant era.
In the meantime, while the kids are developing, new coach Luke Walton has been tasked with developing a positive learning environment and changing the culture of the team. While it’s still very early, results thus far are promising.