The Los Angeles Lakers got blown out in their first preseason game against the Denver Nuggets. However, the final score is not what is important. Here are some takeaways from the game. Well, the first game LeBron James played in a Los Angeles Lakers is now in the books. That might be one of the only bright spots other than my man JAAAAVVVAAALLLE McGee and Brandon Ingram (more on him later…) But this is not about the final score but the progress of the roster. For the record, the Los Angeles Lakers were defeated 124-107 to the Denver Nuggets. LeBron James provided a couple of highlights from NBA TV and Yahoo! Sports… LeBron putting on a show 🤩 (via @Lakers)pic.twitter.com/MfwQmsxFrD — Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) October 1, 2018 That was what everyone came to see. Now let’s get to the analysis… Lake Show Life had a checklist of what Lakers fans had to look for in the first the team’s bit of competition outside of the organization. Let’s get to work shall we with the Lake Show overview before the game and the aftermath… How long will LeBron James play? This isn’t even a question to ask. I’m only putting it out there because every Lakers fan will ask. With sports betting, Vegas will even weigh in. Here we go… If the Lakers play LeBron James more than 20 minutes, somebody needs to be fired. Give him enough floor time to let the paying fans get a chance to see him and sit him down. One ankle turn or hamstring pull and the Lakers are one step to the lottery. They need James healthy for October…That’s it, end of story. Aftermath… Well, no one is going to be fired. Here is LeBron James’ line for you… LeBron James is done for the night with the Lakers sending out Kyle Kuzma with the starters to open the second half. James had nine points, four assists and three rebounds in 15 minutes. https://t.co/udm5lnsHln — Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) October 1, 2018 What does this mean? No ankle sprain, no hamstring pulls. The Los Angeles Lakers do not carry conversations about a possible lottery. Let’s be clear here. No one should care what this man does til say October 18, 2018. That is the date of the first regular season game.<doc-sep>SAN DIEGO — The LeBron James era of Lakers basketball began on an orange court emblazoned by a silhouette of a surfer. In this unlikely setting, a familiar sound surrounded James: the cheers of a packed arena. When P.A. announcer Lawrence Tanter boomed the introduction for a certain forward from St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School, the crowd lost their minds. “It was great to get back on the floor and then start a new journey for myself,” James said. “Hear our Lakers fans that we have in San Diego. It was a great feeling to go out there and hear the roar of the fans here.” The Lakers limited their superstar’s playing time in the preseason opener, as James saw only 15 minutes of L.A.’s 124-107 loss to Denver. It was a modest night for LeBron, who finished with nine points, three assists and three rebounds. Looks pretty good, huh? pic.twitter.com/pkyprIJYlA — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 1, 2018 James originally only planned to play one shift, but decided to return to the game in the second quarter. He began his Lakers tenure with a no-look dime to Brandon Ingram, and also added a couple 3-pointers, including a slick step-back over Nikola Jokic. “From wearing a St. Vincent-St. Mary’s jersey to a Cavs jersey,” James said, “from a Cavs jersey to a Heat jersey, back to a Cavs jersey [and] now being a Laker — it definitely feels different and will take a little time getting used to.” LeBron finished with 9 points, 3 boards, and 3 assists in 15 minutes of floor time in his first preseason game as a Laker. pic.twitter.com/gdOuPSSNXm — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 1, 2018 James and the rest of the Lakers’ starters — Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ingram and JaVale McGee — largely outplayed Denver’s first unit. Still, it was definitely a trial run for a Lakers team that has only put in one or two defensive coverages, and a handful of offensive sets. Some of the lineups they played haven’t even practiced together. But it helps to have a four-time MVP in one’s corner. “It was awesome,” coach Luke Walton said. “When you’re coaching the Lakers and look out and see LeBron wearing your team’s colors, it’s a pretty good feeling.” McGee led the Lakers with 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting (plus seven rebounds), as he was a constant lob threat, both in transition and out of pick-and-rolls. Ingram also knifed through the Nuggets’ defense, scoring 16 points with three steals. Lance Stephenson provided an efficient punch of the bench, adding a dozen points on a 4-of-5 clip, including three sizzling possessions when he splashed against an opposing big. Wonder if Lance Stephenson is enjoying having these big guys switch onto him? pic.twitter.com/nzfwlJQfrh — Joey Ramirez (@JoeyARamirez) October 1, 2018 Yet perhaps no new Laker had as much of an impact as Rajon Rondo, despite scoring only two points on three shots. Rondo nonetheless showed his brilliance, dishing 11 assists in only 23 minutes. He began the game by immediately firing an alley-oop to McGee off the opening tip, and continued to dazzle with bounce passes, underhanded dimes and more. Itr’s really fun watching Rondo pass the basketball. First Quarter: • Alley-oop off the opening tip-off • Hard bounce pass to Ingram • Flip to LeBron (while subtly boxing out Murray from contesting) • Wraparound bounce pass to Kuz pic.twitter.com/WgYgO7gfZu — Joey Ramirez (@JoeyARamirez) October 1, 2018 For good measure, he also added seven rebounds, including three on the offensive glass. However, the Lakers’ reserves mostly struggled. With Lonzo Ball recovering from offseason knee surgery, the bench often found itself playing without a point guard. A Stephenson 3-pointer gave the Lakers a 75-73 lead with 5:20 left in the third quarter, but they were outscored 51-32 the remainder of the way.<doc-sep>LeBron James is making his Los Angeles Lakers preseason debut tonight, as the three-time NBA champion is suiting up against the Denver Nuggets. It’s just a preseason game, of course, but this one means a little bit more than the rest, as LeBron is suiting up in the Purple and Gold on an NBA court for the first time. Tonight’s game is set to tip off at 9:30 p.m. E.T. It’s being played in San Diego, California at Valley View Casino Center. LeBron showed up to the arena about 30 minutes ago. The Lakers’ star was wearing a “More Than An Athlete” black Nike sweatshirt and some Off-White Nike Air Prestos. Check it out: . @KingJames arrives in the @OffWht x Nike Air Presto for his first preseason game with the Lakers pic.twitter.com/yYE1Ys8lnl — B/R Kicks (@brkicks) September 30, 2018 LeBron probably won’t be playing a ton of minutes, but Lakers head coach Luke Walton is being coy about the plan. “LeBron James will play Sunday. Luke Walton isn’t sure how much but he says it will be between 1 and 48 minutes,” Tania Ganguli tweeted. LeBron James will play Sunday. Luke Walton isn’t sure how much but he says it will be between 1 and 48 minutes. @geeter3 wants everyone to know he would have tweeted this too but his hands are occupied holding a mic. — Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) September 27, 2018 The Lakers and the Nuggets are set to tip off at 9:30 p.m. E.T. The game will be televised on ESPN.<doc-sep>For all the fanfare surrounding LeBron James’ first preseason game with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, remember it was just that: a preseason game. James had nine points on 2-of-6 shooting, three rebounds and three assists in 15 minutes — all in the first half — as the Lakers lost 124-107 to Denver, an improving team that will push for a playoff spot this season. While the Lakers showed glimpses of what they might be able to become this season, they also have a long way to go offensively and defensively as they try to figure out how to incorporate James with a mix of young talent and established veterans. Here are five takeaways from James’ first preseason game with the Lakers: Watch the James-Ingram connection One of the key developments for the Lakers this season will be the James-Brandon Ingram combination. James believes in Ingram’s ability, and if the preseason opener is any indication, James will look for Ingram often on offense. James found Ingram early in the first quarter for two baskets — both with Ingram cutting to the basket and James feeding him the ball in good scoring positions. If Ingram is willing work hard and move without the ball, he will have those easy scoring opportunities all season with James’ court vision and passing skills. Ceding some control of the basketball James loves to play offense with the basketball in his hands where he can be a playmaker for himself or his teammates. But the Lakers have multiple ball-handlers: Ingram, Rajon Rondo, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Lance Stephenson. There were times when Rondo or Ingram brought the ball down the court and initiated the offense with James setting up in in the low/mid-post position. The idea that James will become more of a post player later in his career is expected, and the Lakers give him a chance to dominate opponents near the basket. James will still have plenty of opportunities on the perimeter as the main ball-handler. But this roster gives him the freedom to do that less when he chooses. MORE NBA DEBUT:LeBron mixes excitement, theatrics in planned short minutes NO NERVES:Lonzo says he's not nervous about playing with LeBron SAY WHAT? Thompson thinks the East still runs through Cleveland TOUGH BREAK:Markkanen to miss start of regular season with injury No Lonzo but there was Rondo Ball, who is still recovering from offseason surgery, didn’t play, and Rondo got the start. While Rondo and Ball don’t play the exact same style, they are pass-first point guards and will form a strong 1-2 punch at that spot. Rondo had 11 assists against Denver, and when he’s sharing time with Ball and James, the Lakers will be one of best passing teams in the league. Rondo’s experience will help the Lakers, Ball included, and James will benefit from their passing ability. Versatile lineups Coach Luke Walton has promoted the Lakers’ depth, and James' ability to play different positions in big and small lineups gives the Lakers chances to create mismatches. Los Angeles started James, Rondo, Ingram, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and JaVale McGee (who should get easy baskets at the rim this season with the focus on other players). Later in the first half, Walton unveiled this small-ball lineup: James, Ingram, Hart, Stephenson and Kyle Kuzma. Walton will tinker with lineups in the preseason and regular season until he finds the combinations he wants to roll with on a regular basis. While the Lakers have depth at multiple positions, they don’t have much at the traditional center position after McGee. Lakers want to run Remember Magic Johnson’s "Showtime" Lakers that loved to run the fastbreak? These Lakers aren’t going to re-create that, but they do want to push the pace when possible. They have the players to do it and showed some of that against the Nuggets. James loves to get the rebound and run, and he’s also adept at throwing long outlet passes. With young guys like Ball, Ingram, Kuzma and Hart plus James, the Lakers showed they are willing to run after an opponent’s made or missed shot. Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.<doc-sep>
SAN DIEGO — That purple-and-gold uniform still looks a little weird on LeBron James, like a really good photoshop job. Even when he is standing right in front of you. But sports fans are adaptable folks and that won’t last long, especially now that the LA-Bron era officially has gotten underway, with Sunday night finally giving the summer’s most discussed job relocation a tangible outlet. James played 15 minutes of the team’s preseason opener at the Valley View Casino Center, as the Denver Nuggets recorded a 124-107 victory, part of a plan he concocted along with coach Luke Walton to limit his minutes and preserve his legs ahead of the real business of games that actually count. He’d made his feeling on these kind of exhibitions unashamedly clear during the week but he did spend most of the first quarter on the hardwood, perhaps as much of a nod to his new supporters as any great desire to flex his muscles and get a sweat on. "I played a little bit more than expected actually," James said. "And I felt pretty good." As everyone knows, preseason games are far from being any kind of barometer to how things might pan out in the regular season. Except, er, the last time the Lakers had a winning preseason record they won the NBA championship. The previous season? Same thing. Ho hum. Anyway, James has made his decision that preseason action is not for him, at least not in any great volume, and that’s just how it’s going to be. For now, Lakers supporters will have to make do with what amounts to glorified personal appearances, with a smattering of theatrics. There was, of course, a chalk clap, and some swagger. With his first (unsuccessful) shot James tried a fadeaway jumper that prompted suggestions of a nod to Kobe Bryant, then abandoned the copycat routine immediately by delivering a delightful assist moments later. MORE NBA DEBUT:Five key takeaways from LeBron's preseason Lakers debut NO NERVES:Lonzo says he's not nervous about playing with LeBron SAY WHAT? Thompson thinks the East still runs through Cleveland TOUGH BREAK:Markkanen to miss start of regular season with injury His first basket was a flawless three that was greeted with an appropriate roar, and might have been the highlight of the night. Following a three-minute cameo in the second quarter after spookily re-entering with the Lakers trailing by 12 (35-47, their record last season), James was done, finishing with nine points, four assists and three rebounds. Many in the crowd had edged for the exits by midway through the fourth, once it became clear that the spot on the bench two spaces from the end was his preferred parking place for the rest of the evening. It was all entertaining enough for what it was and told us nothing we didn’t know. The Lakers were more slick, dynamic and dangerous when he was on the floor, and struggled sometimes for cohesion when he wasn’t. Which is kind of as you might expect it to be for the next several months. "It always feels different when you change uniforms," James added. "It definitely feels different and it will take a little bit of time to get used to it." It wasn’t a thriller, an omen or even much of an insight into how the LeBron adventure might play out. It was just the start, a shake out, a photo op, the visual confirmation of an historic free agency decision. There’s not much more to tell you except that the season-long soap opera of "LeBron comes to LA" is underway. Follow Rogers on Twitter @RogersJourno