Lakers explosive offense made to look easy a sign of things to come

Luka Doncic didn’t want to get too carried away.To imply, or even acknowledge, that any aspect of an NBA game against an opponent is effortless could be viewed as disrespectful.Or just not a genuine reflection of reality.But watching how the Lakers carved up the Warriors’ helpless defense en route to a 127-105 season-opening victory on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena, it was hard not to think about how easy the offense came.It wasn’t just reflected in the team’s scoring total. Or the ultra-efficient shooting percentage (56.8%).Or the fact the team’s “Big 3” of Doncic (28 points), Walker Kessler (26) and Austin Reaves (23) all scored at least 20 points.It was reflected in the ease in which the Lakers created high-quality scoring opportunities.“Even if it looks easy, it’s not easy, for sure,” Doncic said.“But that’s just the first game.

Our ceiling is even higher.”The final sentence from Doncic should be a scary thought for the rest of the league. One of the guiding lights when the Lakers reconstrutred their roster around Doncic, Reaves and Kessler during the offseason was providing coach JJ Redick with a plethora of players who could dribble, pass and shoot. Players who would not only capitalize on the advantages created by Doncic and Reaves, but also maintain or create new ones within the same possession.That was on full display against the Warriors, who allowed the Lakers to score over half (66) of their points inside of the paint. Factor in the Lakers’ free throw shooting (24 of 27), and it was evident that the Warriors couldn’t slow down the blender that was the Lakers’ offense.It’s how the Lakers shot 61.7% from the field in the first three quarters before garbage time.The Lakers, who went 11 of 28 on 3-pointers, want to be a higher-volume 3-point shooting team compared to the previous two seasons under Redick. But they didn’t need to be on Wednesday night because of the quality of looks they created inside of the ar...