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Big Nik

Monday, 13 November 2017: So week 1 is in the books and the Lakers are off to a 0.500 start. Not bad and in the eyes of some pundits even an overachievement. Lets take a closer look.

It is no secret that the Laker youth movement is in and gone are DWade, Manu and co and now the team is firmly being built around two pillars in Nikola Vucevic and Malcolm Brogdon. Whilst some teams have a plethora of weapons on paper the Lakers have fewer options and are hoping that this simplicity is an advantage. Gm greenmig has always preached a KISS principle. Keep It Simple Stupid. This year it pretty much starts and finishes with Nikola and Malcolm.

“We are going to work to our best guys strengths. You can basically expect to see Malcolm and Nik in some sort of screen roll action all game,” said gm greenmig. “Nik is one of the best offensive bigs in this league and devastating around the basket – a real space eater while Malcolm is a big bodied PG with an excellent IQ and shooting touch”.

Vucevic currently leading all C’s in touches per game at 60.3 meaning that he is basically going to see the ball everytime down the floor. This has translated with the big man currently sitting 1st in the NLL in player rating averaging a gaudy 32.8 points, 13.5 rebounds. The results have been positive with all 4 week 1 games being wins or close losses.

Interview: We recently caught up with the big Montenegrin and asked him about his start to the season.

Lakers Insider (LI): So big Nik you seem as though you have taken your game to a new level?

NV: “Well you know I worked a lot on my game. Coach told me that this year he was turning the team to me so I am hoping to pay him back.”

LI: Do you think anyone can guard you?

NV: “Well no right now I don’t think so. I know I’m going to get the ball every time and my guys are doing a great job screening off and cutting so I can get a deep position in the paint. I know once I catch it that I’m gonna score or get fouled. No one can guard me 1 v 1 in this league!”

LI: How about your defense?

NV: “Right now we are working on being better as a team. Preventing transition baskets is a big key for us and then in the half court we need to keep helping each other for multiple efforts rather than just on the first pass. We got great wing guys like Simmons and Carroll. They make a big difference.

LI: "Do you have a message for your upcoming opponents?"

NV: "Yes, I'm the best big man in the NLL, come at me!"

LI: Those are fighting words. Thanks Nik, good luck for week 2.

Well that’s it for a quick wrap of week 1.

Stay tuned more from your Lakers basketball network.

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