Lakers make impact for DFenders

     Familiar faces to Lakers Fans were present Saturday night at Toyota Sports Center as the Los Angeles D-Fenders took on the Texas Legends.

The Legends had one of those "familiar faces" as Nick Van Exel donned the suit and tie along with his title as an assistant coach.

Other faces, as announced mid-afternoon Saturday, were Lakers Xavier Henry and Jordan Clarkson.

Henry took Player of the Game w 33 points Saturday Night

Their teammate, Jordan Hill, sat nearby and looked on as Henry walked away with "Player of the Game" honors: 33 points on 12-20 FG shooting, 3-6 3pt FG, 6-7 FT, 4 Rbnd 1 A, 1 Stl in 36 minutes.  Clarkson also played well.  In 37 minutes his line reads: 28 pts on 8-20 FG, 2-4 3pt FG, 10-10 FT, 5 Rbnd, and 5 Assists.  The normal tough guard tandem for the D-Fenders, Manny Harris and Vander Blue didn't necessarily get the same "looks" and touches as the focus was primarily on the young Lakers that joined them for the night.  The DFenders took the loss, 130-108, versus a very tough Legends team who shot the ball very well (54%) Saturday night.



The Lakers used the D-League a lot last season.  Whether it was having guys, like Ryan Kelly and Elias Harris, "play down" at the start of the season for minutes and reps., or bumping guys up like Manny Harris because of the team's injury woes, the DFenders played a vital role.

This season looks to be similar.

One thing is certainly true: if the Lakers had any questions whatsoever about Jordan Clarkson and the idea of increasing his minutes, especially with Wayne Ellington absent, those questions should have been answered.

Let's also hope that the repetitions helped Xavier's confidence as he has seemed a bit rusty since coming back to the Lakers.

It's ALWAYS nice to see the the Laker Girls and to walk away with some FREE TACOS!

#GoLakers

#GoDFenders