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Has Darvin Ham Settled on Taurean Prince as the Starting Small Forward for the Los Angeles Lakers?



The Lakers finished off another successful weekend of preseason basketball at the Crypt. Yes, they lost both games (Friday to Golden State, Sunday to Milwaukee) but in the moments where rotation players were on the floor, the Lakers continued to play very solid basketball. And the offense, particularly, has been outstanding. Not just the shooting from 3-point range, but all around the floor.

Anthony Davis has looked great in his minutes, with a solid shooting stroke and the activity level the Lakers need from him. Darvin Ham called him the “heart and soul” of the team, and this is no accident. What exactly are Ham (and Rob Pelinka, and LeBron, who also speak in similar terms) trying to accomplish with this kind of praise?

And what about the outside shooting? Is it too early to believe that the Lakers are just destined to be a high quality shooting team? What would that mean for them, because even when they’ve been good, the perimeter shooting has been a little dodgy. If that changes?

One reason it has, at least in the rehearsal games? Taurean Prince, who hit four of five 3-point attempts on Friday, then another two of five on Sunday. Overall, he’s been remarkably efficient, and has helped elevate that starting unit with excellent spacing, good energy and timely runs to the basket. While Ham still hasn’t confirmed anything, it seems like Prince has that starting small forward gig sewed up. Not just because Vanderbilt is dealing with a heel problem that kept him out of this weekend’s games, and will do the same in the preseason finale – essentially a dress rehearsal for the regular season opener. Ham wouldn’t commit to Vanderbilt being available for the opener, either, for that matter, which is a change from last week.

So if Vando doesn’t start… when does he play?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Reaction to this weekend’s games. The Lakers looked good, even if the scores didn’t show it.

SEGMENT 2: AD is having a great preseason, the shooting looks good, and Taurean Prince seems to have won the SF job.

SEGMENT 3: If Vando doesn’t start… when does he play?

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25 Comments

  2. EverythingLakers17

    NBA discourse from fans needs to cut out the overreactions to preseason basketball as well as summer league for younger players. It matters most when it’s the regular season and especially the playoffs and people trashing on JHS or trashing the Lakers for losing aren’t real Lakers fans!

  5. Hercules H

    DAME IS NOT A FIT WITH THE BUCKS….HE IS NOT GONNA FEEL "COMFORTABLE"
    BEING "ROBIN" TO BATMAN GIANNIS (holiday was the "perfect fit")

  6. Hercules H

    WE MISS FINO'S "RUNNING THE SHOW" PRESENCE IN THE 4TH Q
    (he has that calming "running the show" quality that is one of his greatest strengths)

  7. Schmitke Originals

    I like starting with shooting/spacing… Prince (or Rui) & having energy off the bench – Vando, Vincent… your subs should crank up the pressure and pace! 🙀🙀🙀

    If Rui doesn't start then he should gun for 6 man of year!!! 💜💛😈💛💜

  9. Hercules H

    VANDO IS THE "ULTIMATE ENERGIZER BUNNY" SOMEONE WHO "STANDS OUT"
    (so he will no question get his minutes)

  11. Fat Tony

    Vanderbilt is probably better defensively than Prince but his offense is mediocre compared to Prince's. The only way for Vando to start ahead of Prince is when facing a team with an A1+ pg or shooting guard.

  12. Air Bailey

    I’m going to continue to put it out there into the atmosphere … Rui 4 Sixth Man of the Year!! What say the Kam brothers??

  14. T N

    I like Rui as a Lebron replacement type player. I want Russell, Reaves, Prince, Lebron, AD with Rui replacing Lebron, Vando replacing Prince, Wood replacing AD, Vincent replacing Russell, Christie replacing Reaves. This team is deep

  16. Glen Kulik

    It looks like Prince by default, although he has played very well this preseason and may have won the job outright in any event. If I were the coach, I would conclude that Max Christie, who entered preseason with so much hope, has played himself out of the rotation at least o start the season. Prince started at guard in this game and was fine, and Cam Reddish looked good too and can play that shooting guard position. With a crowded front court, it might actually help to create minutes for more guys. by playing Prince and Reddish at the 2 at least part of the time.

  17. What does it matter bruh?

    D’Lo is absolutely locked in on defense. I’ve been one of his biggest supporters and I didn’t even expect this effort from him. Max hasn’t looked good to me at all this preseason. He’s pressing too much imo and his decision making hasn’t been good. Cam played well-ish. There are some things that he did on Sunday that Max simply can not do, that being said he makes the game so much harder on himself. Those backup 2/wing minutes have not totally been conceded to Max. I guessed that Cam would be a dark-horse for important minutes but the fact he still has a shot when Max has had a four game lead to create separation is surprising.

  21. gucci647

    Vando has to start. Taurean has to come off the bench! I understand the offensive side of everything, but our starting unit has enough offense. We struggle with AD and Bron off of the floor and Taurean, Rui, Gabe, Max and Christian will solve that! Vando and Taurean will likely be staggered

  22. SpacedOutSoundz Pharaoh

    KAM Bros talking about it’s AD’s team is slow hanging fruit in terms of topics. AD’s been that when healthy. He averaged 28/12 before you added 2 6th men of the year , then Russ…

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