The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their second consecutive blowout loss as they fell 119-99 to the Phoenix Suns to start the season 0-2. Kobe Bryant played extremely well dropping 31 points, but the rest of the team struggled mightily.
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On numerous possessions, the Lakers seemed to stand around as Kobe dribbled the ball and eventually put up a tough shot. Bryant noted that the team still needs to get used to playing with him, especially point guard Jeremy Lin, who Kobe said needs to run the Lakers offense according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters via Time Warner Cable SportsNet:
Kobe said he talked to Lin on the bench & said "you got to run the offense. I'm telling you to run the offense & you got to do it."(on TWC)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 30, 2014
Injuries have destroyed the Lakers already this season, but in particular, the team’s playmakers outside of Kobe are all out. Steve Nash and Julius Randle are gone for the season while Nick Young will miss another month or so. As such, the burden falls to Jeremy Lin to be a playmaker for the Lakers and so far, he has not looked comfortable.
Kobe seems to be willing to concede the main ballhandling duties to Lin, and Lin has shown the ability to attack the paint and get shots for other players, which is sorely needed in order for this Lakers offense to succeed.
Things don’t get any easier for the Lakers as the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors are up next followed by a rematch with these Suns. Lin’s play will be crucial in making life easier for Kobe, and the rest of the Lakers.
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