LeBron, Davis, Russell, Reaves and... Hayes (!!!) Look Good as the Lakers Finish the Preseason

The Lakers finished off the preseason Thursday night in Palm Springs, losing to the Phoenix Suns, 123-100. The score? Doesn't really matter. As it is with virtually everything in the exhibition games, it's much more about process and how certain players—and combinations of players—look on the floor. And for the Lakers, there was again much to like. Anthony Davis was huge defensively in the early going, racking up five blocks in the tirst eight minutes of play. Davis looks very much like a guy who is ready to elevate his team, and understands the obligation he has to be great. LeBron James looked smooth and spy over the course of 22 minutes, with 19 points including three triples. D'Angelo Russell continued his run of great play, piling up six assists in short order and showing really high end chemistry with the team's centers, whether Davis or Jaxson Hayes. But it's Hayes who has been the most surprising person in the exhibition games. Hopes in this space at least for a breakout year, or even anything that would be considered consistent, above-level performance, were relatively low. He's simply not shown any consistency at all through the first part of his career. Of course, now Hayes is in a situation where his role is very narrow and easy to define. Nobody in LA is trying to make a star out of him, or justify a lottery pick. The pressure is pretty low, and the situation far more stable. And thuse far, it's a combination that suits Hayes well. Christian Wood, however continues to struggle. He looks slow and unsure, which of course could be related. Anything in here to be worried about? HOSTS: Andy and Brian kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Reactions to the final preeason games, and the preseason in general. The good, the bad and the ugly. SEGMENT 2: Davis and Russell continue to thrive. SEGMENT 3: Does it matter that Hayes is outplaying Wood? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Jase Medical Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Birddogs Go to birddogs.com/LOCKEDONNBA or enter promo code LOCKEDONNBA for a free water bottle with any purchase. You won’t want to take your birddogs off we promise you. Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/lockedonnba today to get 10% off your first month.  FanDuel This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices