NBA News & Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers' Roy Hibbert Disappoints, D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle Impress; Kobe Bryant Back On Track

By Mitch de Leon
Indiana Pacer Roy Hibbert
Roy Hibbert (USATSI)

The Los Angeles Lakers are entering the NBA preseason with the highly anticipated return of basketball legend Kobe Bryant. While the NBA team attempts to determine whether or not Kobe Bryant is already well and good to once again handle the strenuous activities in the hardwood court, the Los Angeles Lakers also take the preseason matches as platforms to try out the newly acquired members of the roster as well as the basketball stars who were unable to perform and live up to the expectations last season. Hence, the Los Angeles Lakers will be expected to incorporate the NBA team's gameplays and the skills of Kobe Bryant, Roy Hibbert, D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle this preseason period.

"The practice before, I played probably 40 minutes straight, so my back today was a little tight from all that running," shared Kobe Bryant, referring to his performance in the preseason match of the Los Angeles Lakers against the Utah Jazz, according to USA Today. The Los Angeles Lakers veteran went on to share, "We decided to play the first 12, and look to increase it gradually with every game." The preseason match between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz saw the latter with a 90 - 71 victory last Sunday.

Meanwhile, the performance of another Los Angeles Lakers star, Roy Hibbert, is attracting the attention of sports analysts. As a two-time NBA All-Star, the former Indiana Pacers basketball star has garnered attention especially with the fanfare generated by their matches against the Miami Heat. However, it appears that Roy Hibbert might have lost his touch as the 7'2" center is no longer considered a threat in the NBA community. Following his entry in the Los Angeles Lakers locker room, Roy Hibbert was immediately saddled with injuries that prevented him from participating fully last NBA season. As fans and followers of the Los Angeles Lakers anticipate his return this NBA season, some are apprehensive over the capacity of Roy Hibbert to actually deliver. As the main man to uphold the defense tactics of the Los Angeles Lakers, Roy Hibbert is expected to provide support to Nick Young, Kobe Bryant and D'Angelo Russell. It remains to be seen if he can actually perform excellently this time around.

As for the newcomers in the Los Angeles Lakers roster, Kobe Bryant has nothing but kind words for D'Angelo Russell. Moreover, the performance of Julius Randle bears noting as the basketball star is eyed as a potential powerful weapon for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. According to Kobe Bryant, the "vision" of D'Angelo Russell is "astronomical" - a compliment that has yet to prove its worth this coming NBA season.

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