GonZo Sports News: Lakers Brass Balls on display in NBA Summer League Action

Lakers( Brass') Balls landed D'Angelo Russell with the number two overall selection

There's a lot of hardware in Laker Land.

#16Rings

And, whether it be the hardware, Kobe Bryant, Laker Lore or the excitement around #2, who dons jersey number 1 in the purple and gold, there was quite a buzz Friday, July 10 as the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada kicked off.

In last year's opening day game that featured #1 v #2 (Wiggins v Parker) in Cox Pavilion which lists a capacity of 2500 versus having that and other top games in Thomas & Mack, which lists capacity at over 19,000.00

THIS did NOT go over well last season as hundreds of people were turned away or asked to leave Cox Pavilion in spite of having a ticket. THAT did not happen this year. The game featuring #1 v #2 (Towns/Russell) was the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers at 5:30 Pacific (the only time zone that matters). SAC town and Toronto were playing before the Lakers and the arena was already packed around their half-time. Attendance was reported at 12,500, a record attendance figure for the NBA Summer League.

THIS wasn't the only change this Summer League. There is a Changing of the Guard for the Lakers. Last year's squad featured, ahem, Kendall Marshall. This year's squad is being led by D'Angelo Russell and the man who was just that for the Lakers Summer Squad AND the lone bright spot during the regular season, Jordan Clarkson.

The crowd was anxious to see the Lakers top pick from THIS draft and last (Randle) and they both seemed pumped to perform.

Perhaps nerves and adrenaline got the better of them as the duo of Randle and Russell failed in comparison to Clarkson and Black, another returner from last year's Lakers.

Russell threw up an air ball on an early shot attempt but as the game progressed he settled down somewhat. He does run and see the floor exceptionally well. Randle seemed tight, rusty, and maybe reluctant until late in the second half when he juked Adreian Payne and went baseline for a monster two-handed jam

1 board is just NOT acceptable from Randle and he knows that: 11 pts, 1 Board, 4 TOs

This game seemed to be ALL about the "eye candy" of the to top picks, yet became a game where LaVine and Clarkson were going toe-to-toe.

LaVine hit consecutive threes, from deep, in the first half and seemed un-guardable AT TIMES. He was. There were NUMEROUS times when the opposition's best player, a player who was draining treys (4-8) finishing with 24 points was actually NOT being defended by ANYONE.. at ALL. Horrible.

I like LaVine. A lot. In fact, I thought the "balls" part last year was to look past the BIGS and take a risk on the shiny, springy, tenacious combo guard from U-C-L-A. Don't get me wrong, I like Randle. In fact, I thought he should have gone 1-3 before he got his injury going into the draft. Meanwhile, LaVine's combine numbers were insane and he was steadfastly climbing the draft board charts faster than his ridiculous vert. One thing is definite: LaVine had a better rookie season LAST YEAR than Randle. Randle did look BEAST and had moments but it was Tarik Black that was holding it down for the Lakers inside. Black finished with 9 points and 13 Boards (5 OFF).

Some say that "Towns' dominated." Really? Honestly, Towns' play seemed lethargic. He ended up with 12 but that was a very quiet 12 (4-10 FG, 4-5 FT) and 3 boards. Towns had opportunities to capitalize in certain situations but fell flat. Russell did as well. I think everyone expected MORE from ONE and TWO. Russell had 8 pts (3-8 FG, 1-3 3pt), 5 Boards, 6 Assists and 5 TurnOvers. I do like the "complete" line that Russell can get night in and night out. I LOVE his court awareness, vision and passing. I HATE the turnovers. With ALL of the excitement around the Lakers and Russell I think it is important to temper expectations on Russell. A lot is riding on this young mans shoulders.

He (Russell)WILL have brilliant moments. BUT, he will also have moments of failure.

The growing PAINS will be there for Russell and the rest of the YOUNG Lakers. However, Mr. Consistency, the young Jordan Clarkson will be there. He was there on Friday and although LaVine's line edged out JC , this second-round pick continues to validate his presence in the NBA and making the argument that HE could have very well been a top 15 pick last season.

Lakers Brass got Balls: The Lakers ONLY had pick #7 but sent $1.8M to the Wizards last season to acquire #46 and draft Jordan Clarkson.

"Other" Game NOTES:

Two players looking for spots that did well for the T-Wolves were Lorenzo Brown and Adreian Payne

Lorenzo finished with a sweet line: 6-9 FG, 1-2 3pt, 3 As, 3 Stl, 17 pts

Payne DID look awkward at times, mostly at stretch 4 launching threes in the Wolves offense and he did get schooled by Randle hear and there, but never gave up and had 10 points and 8 rebounds in helping Towns up front.

Another Brown or two and a Blue (where are YOU?)...

Anthony Brown started and also seemed a bit pumped. Once that wore off he drained a nice trey going 1-4 from deep, 4-8 overall for 9 points. His stroke looks niiice and his misses were right on the bucket_ good rotation.

Jabari (Brown) was NOT present due to an EYE injury. Vander , "You're my Boy.." Blue was also NOT present. Blue had a qualifying offer of $1.2M on the table from the Lakers but was in uniform "elsewhere" for the Bulls this Summer League.

Blue joined the squad from the D-Fenders last season after Dwight Buycks, another Gatorade Call-Up, got injured. Buycks was invited to the Lakers Summer. He showed PLENTY of SPEED but not much else in game one over 19 minutes of action.

The Lakers other draft pick, of their three, didn't get much time in game one but showed what he WILL bring: quickness, athleticism and defense.

Robert UPshaw, Big Upshaw: Dude is BIG.

He had three blocks in 12 minutes and with each one he got nice ovations. The buzz and excitement is THERE for the Big Fella, but he had mental lapses during the game and his positioning on setting screens is absolutely minor league material. This is the BIG LEAGUES, and although he has the size, the question is does he have the head and the aptitude.