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Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason officially came to a close with their 121-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets, and we still don’t have a concrete answer on what their opening-night starting lineup will be.
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But the fans have a preference.
We’ve drawn a general conclusion that Quentin Grimes would be joining Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler in the starting lineup, considering that he started four of the five games in the preseason. However, the final spot in the lineup has mostly been up for grabs.
For this week’s SB Nation Reacts survey, we asked fans who they think should slot in next to the four above between Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Matisse Thybulle, each of whom has made strong cases through the whirlwind of lineups we’ve seen all preseason. And there was a clear winner.
JJ Redick may have given the final stamp of approval based on the five he started with in their preseason finale on Friday. Williams joined Dončić, Reaves, Kessler, and Thybulle against the Nuggets, something Redick said he wanted to try, especially with Grimes on the bench.
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Williams’ 6-foot-9 frame and 3-and-D ability make him the most ideal candidate to fill the position. In the two preseason games he played, he averaged 13.5 points in 15.6 minutes per game and made all five 3-pointers he attempted. Williams has never actualized his perimeter shooting potential, registering below-average overall 3-point shot quality with Brooklyn last season. But he is already getting better looks playing with two of the league’s best offensive creators.
“Man, my life is definitely easier, to say the least,” Williams said after Friday’s loss. “Just playing with high-level playmakers, guys who know how to win and, you know, guys who’ve been in the league for a long time. I just know my role, and I feel like I just couldn’t be in a better situation.”
An overwhelming 44% of…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ziaire-williams-emerges-fan-favorite-163000266.html
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Publish date : 2026-10-17 16:30:00
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