Lakers contend with Kings, lose in final minute 92-98.

The Sacramento Kings were imbued with the spirit that comes from constructing a new arena for basketball, and it was just enough to edge D'Angelo Russell and his Lakers. The Lakers held a small lead for most of the game, and in the final minutes, Russell made some excellent shots from beyond the arc to pad the lead and even later when the Kings retook the lead, but ultimately Demarcus Cousins would not be denied, dunking the ball ferociously to give the Kings a 4 point lead with 30 seconds left.

Cousins had 26 points and 14 rebounds. New pickup Arron Afflalo had 19 points, despite a rough start on 8-16 shooting. The Kings struggled to score early, which gave the Lakers the advantage. The visiting purple and gold team probably should've won this game, but one has to be impressed by the clutch 'Mamba Mentality' of Russell, who did everything he could to get the Lakers on top. Russell fell just shy of Cousins with 25 points and 5 assists.

Darren Collison had struggled all night to score and be effective as a distributor, a far cry from Rajon Rondo (who is now with the Chicago Bulls instead), but it was his 3PTer that gave the Kings the lead in the final minute and made it tough for the Lakers to recover. Both teams struggled to score based on their averages, with both failing to reach over 100 points, especially the Kings at home.

Brandon Ingram provided a late spark for the Lakers, scoring 12 points with 2 steals and 1 block. Lou Williams appeared to be in store for a hot night, but stopped at just 15 points. Clarkson had a struggle with just 12 points. The Lakers big men fought foul trouble, but Randle had 10 points with 6 rebounds, Mosgov with 5 points and 6 rebounds.

Lakers dazzle against Timberwolves in home opener, 105-115.

The Lakers had a spring in their collective step for opening night, stunning the Timberwolves from the outset with defensive energy and exquisite ball movement.

Coach Thibodeau's Timberwolves never were being blown out, but the Lakers' lead climbed to 15 at halftime. The Wolves made a little run in the second half, but the outcome was never really in question once it became clear the Lakers came to play. Every Lakers player that got playing time scored the ball, proving the team chemistry that many did not expect this soon.

Timofey Mosgov - 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks, 1 steal (7-7 FG%
Jordan Clarkson - 16 points, 4 assists, 1 steal (4-9 3PT%)
Brandon Ingram - 14 points, 2 steals, 4 blocks
D'Angelo Russell - 12 points, 5 assists, 1 steal
Lou Williams - 11 points, 5 assists
Larry Nance Jr. - 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks
Tarik Black - 7 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal
Luol Deng - 6 points
Jose Calderon - 6 points, 5 assists, 3 steals (2-2 3PT%)
Julius Randle - 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal
Nick Young - 5 points
Yi Jianlian - 5 points, 4 rebounds
Anthony Brown - 3 points, 1 steal

The Lakers were a force on defense, and it was a peculiar sight to behold after former units being awful defensively in years past.

In the loss, Zach Lavine heated up late for 20 points and Andrew Wiggins had 18 points. Karl Anthony-Towns had a bit of a struggle with 11 points and 10 rebounds, as the Lakers double-teamed him as soon as he touched the ball. Brandon Ingram disrupted several plays with his defensive talent, intercepting passes by Rubio (3-13 FG%, 11 assists), using his long wingspan to block layups down low, while Minnesota just kept missing shots all night. New rookie guard Kris Dunn was frustrated into 4 turnovers.

In one stellar display, Jordan Clarkson gave a slick bounce pass to Jose Calderon for an open 3PTer.

In post-Kobe era, Lakers respond with strength.

Brian Shaw, former Lakers player, is the new assistant coach of this young Lakers team. Shaw is an old-school Phil Jackson disciple that wants to play traditionally and expects his players to be men on and off the basketball court.

His tenure with the Denver Nuggets may have ended poorly, but Kobe Bryant openly voiced his desire for Shaw to become head coach seasons ago, but the front office went in a different direction. We'll never know how the Bryant and Shaw-led teams might've fared in today's NBA, but Shaw will have the opportunity to help coach D'Angelo Russell (whom has shown improvement in Summer League, nailing buzzer-beaters and guiding rookie Brandon Ingram, whom is showing strides of his own).

Coming with Shaw is ex-Spurs assistant coach, Ime Udoka, taking over in Byron Scott's shoes as head coach, and it's an easy transition as Udoka is in a relationship with Hollywood actress Nia Long with whom Udoka has a child. Coming to LA will be a smooth change of scenery, and with him Udoka brings the tutelage of famed Coach Popovich. "Time for him to spread his wings for LAX", Popovich said in congratulating Udoka on the promotion.

D'Angelo Russell will lead the team on the floor, and the full roster (as of now) is listed below. Udoka and Shaw will preach discipline and the importance of defense. Udoka will also implement the "Spurfection"-like value of up-tempo basketball and ball movement, emphasizing long-distance shooting. With players like Russell and Ingram, the Lakers will have no trouble with offense. Ingram also offers defensive skill as the Lakers took him #2 overall in the NBA Draft.

In the offseason, the Lakers acquired big-man Timofey Mosgov, who Mitch Kupchak had been scouting throughout the 15-16 NBA season. Luol Deng, formerly of the Bulls, Cavaliers and Heat, will also join the purple and gold revival, bringing defensive knowledge to Brandon Ingram. Jordan Clarkson has also re-signed for 4 years/50 million, hushing rumors of DeMar DeRozan taking his place (who quickly re-signed with the Toronto Raptors).

This young team will undoubtedly struggle, but the future is brighter than it was. The Lakers have fired Byron Scott, who quickly became the most hated man in LA (despite his past Lakers player career) once he began to hinder the growth of the young prospects, especially D'Angelo Russell, and emphasizing a style that did not fit the talents of the players. It also doesn't hurt that Kobe Bryant says he "is always around" to offer his knowledge and experience to the youth movement, as well as Metta World Peace.