Lakers Rookie Cameron Carr Shines With 19 Points in Preseason Debut.
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Cameron Carr made an immediate impact in his first preseason appearance, helping the Lakers earn a 127-103 road victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday at Golden 1 Center. Carr provided a spark off the bench, finishing with 19 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 22 minutes. The 24th overall pick shot 7-of-13 from the field and connected on three of his seven attempts from beyond the arc. He finished the game with a plus-six rating. The 21-year-old did much of his damage after halftime, scoring 15 points in the second half as Los Angeles rested most of its starters. Carr showed his ability to score in transition while also creating offense from the perimeter.
Despite his productive performance, Carr acknowledged feeling some nerves as he stepped onto an NBA court for the first time.
“I was definitely nervous,” Carr said after the game. “It is real, human. I was definitely nervous, but it is basketball; I enjoy having fun. I got to go out there and have another opportunity to play basketball, and now at the highest level, so it is fun to compete with my guys.”
Carr entered the NBA after a productive season at Baylor, where he scored 642 points, the fifth-highest single-season total in program history. His combination of scoring versatility and athleticism helped him become a first-round selection. Lakers head coach JJ Redick has also spoken positively about Carr's potential and previously indicated that Los Angeles rated the rookie higher on its draft board than where he was ultimately selected. With roster roles still being evaluated during the preseason, Carr is competing for an opportunity to earn regular rotation minutes. His performance against Sacramento provided an encouraging first look at what he could contribute. Carr said his focus moving forward is on becoming increasingly comfortable within the Lakers' system and making the most of each opportunity. “Every chance I get to step on the court, (I'm) just growing in areas,” Carr said. “I just get more comfortable with playing in the offense and being efficient.”
One preseason game will not determine Carr's role when the regular season begins, but his debut gave the Lakers an early glimpse of the scoring and athleticism their first-round rookie can bring off the bench.
