LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings and Kevin Huerter looks on during the first half of a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena on October 3, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines—Despite the result—a 105-75 loss to the Sacramento Kings—Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham liked what he saw from his team.
Ham, in particular, was pleased with how his Big Three of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook performed in the Lakers’ preseason opener at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday (Manila time).
“I thought it was great,” Ham, who replaced Frank Vogel at the helm, said in a story on the Los Angeles Times. “They allowed themselves to help one another. Like I said, we have a three-series that involves all three of them, a half-court play call, and I think they’re gonna thrive.”
James, Davis and Westbrook didn’t see action in the second half but that seemed to be enough sample size to convince Ham of a promising season ahead.
“So, there’s many different nuances that they can approach out of that set that’s gonna enhance all of their games and allow them to share the load, so to speak. I loved what I saw. It was good. It was good,” Ham said.
Davis led the Lakers with 11 points and 11 rebounds in 15 minutes. James also played 15 minutes while Westbrook only logged 14 minutes. The three of them didn’t see action in the second half.
Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers pats Anthony Davis #3 after Davis received a technical foul with Russell Westbrook #0 looking on during the first half against the Sacramento Kings in a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena on October 3, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by KEVORK DJANSEZIAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
“In 15 minutes, it was over with. But that’s the last thing on my mind, as far as makes or misses. It’s about working our habits offensively and defensively, putting in the stuff we’ve been doing over the week, and we all got some pretty good looks tonight,” said James, who had four points, when asked about missing all of his seven field goal attempts.
Another bright spot for the Lakers was the return of guard Kendrick Nunn.
Nunn, who missed the entirety of last season with a bone bruise, started in his return and finished with nine points, two rebounds and one assist in 20 minutes.
The Lakers play the Phoenix Suns next on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Suns are coming off a loss as well, falling to the Adelaide 36ers of the Australian National Basketball League on Monday where Filipino center Kai Sotto had a solid outing with 11 points, two rebounds and two steals.