Can you imagine being the person who suggested the Lakers were just punting this game against the Blazers when they announced Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves would be out?

Surely that person wouldn’t have suggested it would be silly to play Deandre Ayton, too, considering he just missed Sunday’s game with back spasms. But I can’t imagine I was in the minority in thinking this was a lost game for the Lakers heading into the contest.

What we learned, however, is that the Lakers’ culture is strong already this season. Despite being taken down by this same Blazers team in a very similar scenario last week, LA was undeterred with this one and pick up the type of win that, coming this early in the season, is a real proof of process for head coach JJ Redick and his coaching staff.

Clearly the te

See Full Page