Ever since the Los Angeles Lakers were dominated by the Golden State Warriors, there has been a lot of discussion about what the team needs to do to turn things around.
Kobe Bryant spoke about his shot selection and what he needs to improve, while Nick Young said the team lacks an offensive identity. Some have wondered whether the Lakers pieces fit together.
Head coach Byron Scott doesn’t believe the Lakers lack chemistry. He does, however, think that the team doesn’t trust each other on the court according to LakersNation.com reporter Serena Winters:
Byron Scott says chemistry isn't the issue, says they "all get along," just "don't trust each other on the court."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) November 27, 2015
Trust is essential for any team to be successful in the NBA. That was apparent in watching the Warriors when they played the Lakers. Each of their players had no issues making the extra pass to their teammate because they trusted them to make the right play. Likewise on defense, the players knew if they helped their teammate that someone would have their back.
The Lakers, on the other hand, don’t show that same level of trust. There are few possessions when the ball is moving crisply and the Lakers usually end up in an isolation situation. For someone like D’Angelo Russell, whose game is predicated on passing, vision, and anticipation, it is difficult if the team lacks trust.
The Lakers have a lot of things that need to be fixed if they are going to begin to climb out of the hole they have dug themselves in. If there is a lack of trust, handling that issue will be essential, especially to the young players who have to grow together.