Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton said preseason was going to be all about teaching moments and opportunities, which was exactly what happened on Friday night in their 101-97 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center. Walton emptied the bench at the end of the fourth quarter to give opportunities to those like Julian Jacobs, Travis Wear, and Thomas Robinson, all fighting for a spot on the Lakers final roster.
Despite the loss, plenty of positives to look at from tonight’s game, like Jordan Clarkson’s improved defense, D’Angelo Russell leading the offense and Brandon Ingram knocking down his first NBA field goal. After the game, Walton says it was Clarkson’s defense (four steals) that Walton was most impressed with, which he says he has been all training camp.
In the videos below, Clarkson tries to pinpoint what it is about Luke Walton that garners so much respect from the players. Brandon Ingram talks about what it was like to hit his first field goal (a two-handed dunk off a lob pass from Marcelo Huertas) and whether or not he meant to bank in his first NBA three-pointer.
Luke Walton evaluates Brandon Ingram and D’Angelo Russell’s performance
Jordan Clarkson on the respect all the players have for Luke Walton
Brandon Ingram on his first NBA field goal and taking over Kobe Bryant’s locker
