22 points defeat! The Lakers are missing 5 players, James sets first in history, Booker 24+7, free throws are controversial

Editor|Old Kankan Ball

On October 4, the NBA preseason ushered in the focus of the Western Conference, with the Los Angeles Lakers opening game against the Phoenix Suns. This offseason, the Lakers have successively introduced No. 1 Ayton and former best defensive player Smart. Within a limited salary range, they have made the best reinforcement. The new season is indeed worth looking forward to. The most interesting thing is that this summer, James and the Lakers did not choose to renew their 1+1 maximum salary contract like they did in previous seasons. Instead, they implemented the player option worth $52.6 million in the last year. Behind this signal also means that the Lakers management officially regards Doncic as the core cornerstone player of the team's future. This has to be expressed that age is indeed an unavoidable obstacle. However, the new season will be James' 23rd season, surpassing Carter to occupy the first record in NBA history!

Therefore, the Lakers are very cautious. In this preseason, five players were not allowed to be absent from James (hip injury), Smart (Achilles tendon disease), Maxi Cleber (quadriceps injury), Adu Tierro (knee injury) and Doncic (no injury, cautiously quit) in the preseason. It is worth noting that James has been training alone so far since the offseason and has not trained with the entire team. According to the Lakers' self-media BUHA, James is expected to miss many preseason games. In addition, the two new players of the Suns, Jaylen Green (hamstring recovery) and Mark Williams, will also miss this game, but Booker will play, and the match against former teammate Ayton will become the focus of the game. In terms of the starting lineup, the Lakers' starting fives are: Austin Reeves, Jack Laravia, DeAndre Ayton, Jared Vanderbilt and Hachimura; on the Suns, the starting lineup is: Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, Ryan Dunn, Dillon Brooks and Osso Iguodaro.

The first quarter started, Ayton toughly won the frontcourt rebound in front of the three, and the Reeves three-pointer who was knocking straight to the top of the arc, taking the lead for the Lakers. Booker broke through with the ball and attracted double teams. Allen made a steadily three-pointer and immediately returned. Then he used the same trick again to assist Brooks in a three-pointer, and the Suns overtook the score 6-5. Yamura Yoko received the ball from the free throw line, and he was strong in the face of defense and hit a magical 2+1. Reeves missed the layup. Ayton jumped high and completed the patch of his hands, but was blown to interfere with the ball ineffective. It was a pity, but it can be seen that Ayton played really positively today.

Allen got rid of Reeves, and was blown away by the latter's big hat when he made a layup. Then Brownie missed, and Allen made a big open three-pointer at the bottom corner to find some face. Ayton made a foul and made two free throws, winning the first point of the Lakers' career. Brownie's dribble was still missed in the mid-range shot, and his hand felt bad. On the other hand, Colin and O'Neal made consecutive three-pointers, and the Suns led by double digits.

The Lakers relied on Reeves to score alone in a single and scored 12 points in a single quarter. After returning from the second quarter, Ayton stepped down while defending and resigned again. He sent out his big chasing cap. He has now completed two blocks. Booker's breakthrough attracted three players to assist in defense, and flew haymura and Ayton one after another. The wonderful pass assisted Iguodaro to complete a double-handed dunk and had sent 4 assists. It can be seen that Booker's organizational ability has indeed improved, and the Suns widened the score gap to 18 points. Hayes was cited for cover and was fouled for cover in a row, and he had received 4 fouls in less than two quarters. Then Reeves threw the ball high, Hayes drifted the onion and drifted the booker with one arm, and the Lakers narrowed the score difference to single digits. Booker made a breakthrough and directly made a hook shot. Allen broke through and assisted Richards to complete a one-arm dunk. At the end of the half, the Suns led the Lakers by 13 points 55-42.

Half time data, on the Lakers, Reeves played for 16 minutes, scored 5 of 8 shots and scored 18 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists; Ayton played for 13 minutes, scored 1 point, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks; Brownie James played for 9 minutes, 0 of 2 shots and 5 of 6 free throws and scored 5 points; Hachimura Nai scored 10 points, 1 rebound and 2 steals.

On the Suns, Booker played for 15 minutes, scored 4 of 9 shots and scored 14 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists.

The change of sides again, Dillon received an assist and Allen made a layup, and the Suns led by 19 points to stop the Lakers. After the timeout, Booker accelerated to break through and landed, but was blown away by Hayes's big hat from the front. Reus O'Neal received the ball at the bottom corner. Time was about to be used up. He threw a three-pointer against the defensive and hit it. It was a real fairy ball. Brownie made a quick stop and finally made a three-pointer shot against Booker, and now scored 8 points in 1 of 6 shots. After the third quarter, the Lakers were already 62-87 and were already 25 points behind.

In the fourth quarter, Kneckett still missed the ball with a strong three-pointer, and he currently only scored 2 points in 1 of 7 shots. Brownie changed direction and broke through the dribble, but was hit by Goodwin's head-on steal. Maluach counterattacked and cut off, jumped high and directly received a dunk. The game has lost its suspense, and in the end, the Lakers suffered a 22-point defeat 81-103. In terms of data, on the Lakers, Reeves scored 6 of 11 shots and scored 20 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists; Ayton scored 0 of 2 shots and scored 1 point, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks and 4 mistakes; Brownie James played for 23 minutes, 12 shots, 5 free throws and 5 rebounds and 2 assists; Kneckett scored 2 of 10 shots and scored 6 points and 6 rebounds.

On the Suns, Booker scored 8 of 19 shots and scored 24 points, 2 rebounds and 7 assists; Dillon Brooks made 3 of 5 shots and contributed 10 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.

It is worth mentioning that the two teams finally scored 37-26 free throws, and the free throw difference was more than 20+ at one point, which caused controversy.