Through eight games, the Lakers are second in the league in scoring at 122.5 points per game and first in offensive rating at 121.9 points per 100 possessions. Even so, there’s still room for improvement, according to Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times.

Coach J.J. Redick believes it will take awhile before the team will hit all cylinders.

“This team can become a great team,” he said. “That requires patience, that requires a lot of coaching and teaching and buy-in, and so that whole process takes time.”

The offense is, of course, spearheaded by superstar guard Luka Doncic. He’s the NBA’s leading scorer at 38.3 points per game.

“It’s a really good offense that we’re playing right now,” Redick said. “And a lot of that, of course, is Doncic and what he’s able to do and bend the defense.”

Here’s more on the Lakers:

• Doncic racked up 42 points in the Lakers’ 138-117 win over the Heat on Monday, earning praise from another established superstar, Dave McMenamin of ESPN writes. “Obviously, he’s one of the best scorers to play this game, if not the best,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo, who provided context by adding, “Not (just) right now. Of all time. I feel like some people are scared to say that, but he’s got to be up there.” In Doncic’s past five games, he has averaged 43.4 points while shooting 53.2% overall, 44.7% from deep and 89.1% from the free throw line.
• Rookie guard Cameron Carr has only made two cameo appearances but says he’s learning a lot from Doncic and Austin Reaves, he told Mark Medina of Fadeawayworld.net. “It’s different. But it’s okay, though,” he said. “Now I’m doing it at the highest level. I’m playing with the best scorer in the game right now. It’s crazy. This is Luka Dončić. It’s different than college. He’s the best in the world. Austin Reaves is the best in the world. They’re the best in the world for a reason. I keep listening and keep learning from them. Just don’t make the same mistake over an over again.”
• Jake LaRavia may be the last option in the starting lineup but he’s earned the trust of Redick. LaRavia is averaging 28.5 minutes over the last four games. “Just having another guy out there who knows our stuff is helpful,” the coach said, per Benjamin Royer of the Orange County Register. LaRavia is in the second year of a two-year, $12MM contract.
• Ziaire Williams returned to action on Monday after missing three games due to left foot soreness, McMenamin tweets. He wasn’t on a minutes restriction but still played just 15 minutes, contributing nine points.