After a successful offseason and free agency period, the Los Angeles Lakers are ready to prove that they are indeed worthy of being called title contenders during the 2023-24 NBA season.
The Lakers’ journey to their 18th championship begins on Opening Night against the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
Denver swept Los Angeles in the Western Conference Finals and it’ll be an electric night as their fans will get to see the organization raise their first championship banner.
Nikola Jokic has looked as good as ever in the preseason and he’s going to be the focal point of the Lakers’ defensive efforts.
L.A. seems better equipped to defend Denver this time around after adding several quality role players, though Darvin Ham has been mum about who his fifth starter will be.
However, Ham revealed that Taurean Prince will be getting the nod against the Nuggets via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
Darvin Ham says Taurean Prince will start on opening night. Calls the start “circumstantial.” Jarred Vanderbilt remains day to day with his heel but Ham says “in all likelihood” Vando will not be available on Tuesday.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 21, 2023
Prince got the most reps next to D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis so the decision isn’t very surprising.
Jarred Vanderbilt only appeared in one preseason game before missing the team’s next five with a heel injury that will apparently keep him out for the first game.
However, Prince is more than capable of filling in as he’s shown he can be a knockdown 3-point shooter when given space and a solid defender on the wing.
In their series against the Nuggets, the Lakers were severely undersized though this time around they’ll be able to match the champions in that department.
