3. Improving Bench Play
Laker fans know that the current bench composes one of the best we’ve had in a long while. Owner Jerry Buss has stated this team could very well be the most talented one he’s had over the past 31 years he’s been around (See one of my previous articles, https://staging.lakersnation.com/catching-the-buss-to-the-hall-of-fame/2010/08/18/4/). Nonetheless, with the style that the Lakers have been playing and with the situations they continue to put themselves in, they haven’t had the opportunity to show their potential.
In the Lakers’ 11 losses, the bench is shooting a meager 40.3% while shooting 45.2% in their 25 wins. The bench scores 10 points less in losses than they do in wins (33.3-23.2). It’s clear that when the bench has to play significant minutes in a loss, they’re often forced to take bad shots instead of having the opportunity to set up the offense.
Steve Blake is shooting a poor 38.4% from the field, a result of the inordinate amount of 3 pointers he’s had to take in games where the Lakers are already in a hole. How the Lakers play on the court directly affects what rotations have to come out and play and what role they have to play in. During the Christmas debacle, Ron’s early foul trouble caused Matt Barnes to play early and Kobe’s desire to come into the game while the reserves were still out made them more complacent as he decided to take the bulk of the work. Barnes, Blake and Shannon Brown shot a combined 4-18 as a result and compounded the triangle.
The bottom line is that if the starters don’t set the tempo, Laker fans can’t expect the bench to produce at high levels. In those losses, the Lakers were taken away from the style of ball necessary to win. When Kobe’s multitude of shots didn’t go down, the bench had no choice but to force plays in order to try and come out on top.
If all these things are considered and the Lakers play with less complacency, their third straight title awaits. The drama that has surrounded this team as of late is simply a product of them attempting to stay interested. The reason Kobe, Fish and Pau are still able to give calm interviews is because they’ve been here before. They know what it takes to win, and they know that they are not far from reaching their potential as a group.
At the end of the day, the Lakers are still an elite team, and it is ridiculous for fans and critics alike to think otherwise. If you think other teams in the league don’t constantly look over their shoulders at what will become of the Lakers when they get everything in order, you’re sorely mistaken. It may take more time than normal, but expect to see the Lakers play into June of 2011.
Follow me on Twitter: @dmalwcc89
