Lakers’ week in review: Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell show promise

Last week, the Lakers wrapped their training-camp trip to Hawaii with an exhibition loss to the Utah Jazz.

Rookie D’Angelo Russell gives the Lakers a scare with a fall but suffered just a bruised glute for his trouble. Forward Brandon Bass was also injured, bruising his knee.

The NBA also suspended Utah’s Trevor Boozer for striking center Roy Hibbert.

Meanwhile, the Lakers were just happy to be finished with Coach Byron Scott’s extensive running drills.

The team returned to California, hosting the Toronto Raptors in Ontario for a third straight loss, although second-year forward Julius Randle continued to get “a lot of things right.”

After the loss, Kobe Bryant said he wants the Lakers to play better defense.

Jordan Clarkson looked solid, working diligently to improve his play.

The Lakers finally got a win, beating Israeli squad Maccabi Haifa convincingly at Staples Center.

The one player who has yet to hit the court is rookie point guard Marcelo Huertas, an international veteran from Brazil. Scott said he’s curious to see what Huertas can offer in an NBA game.

On Monday, Hibbert had his knee examined after feeling soreness, but an MRI was not deemed necessary.

The Lakers play the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, reuniting former Kentucky Wildcats teammates Willie Cauley-Stein and Randle. Russell will be challenged against another former Wildcat in veteran point guard Rajon Rondo.

A gambling website gave the Lakers a projected win total at just 29 1/2 games for the upcoming season.

Metta World Peace lamented the lack of toughness in the NBA.

Finally, former Lakers Matt Barnes and Derek Fisher, currently the coach of the New York Knicks, got into an altercation off the court.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.