The Lakers struggles since the All-Star break are no secret. Los Angeles has gone just 13-9 since the break, including losses to several teams that aren’t going to make the playoffs. While Lakers fans scream apocalypse, it is important to remember that the playoffs are yet to begin, and that there is still time for the Lakers to turn everything around. However, to do that they must change the way they are approaching basketball right now.
One of the biggest problems for Los Angeles since the All-Star break has been the bench. Before the season began everybody knew the bench was going to be crucial in the Lakers’ quest to repeat, and so far they have been a major disappointment. Other than Lamar Odom, who is now starting due to the injury to Andrew Bynum, there is not a single reserve player that should take pride in the way they have played this season. While almost all of them, minus Sasha Vujacic, have had productive games here and there, none of them have been consistent enough to anchor the Lakers when the stars take a breather.
If the Lakers want any chance of making the Finals, let alone winning the title, they are going to need the bench to play at a high level consistently. Without this, the Lakers will fizzle soon, and most likely succumb to the depth of the Western Conference. The players that Los Angeles needs to step up the most off the bench are reserve guards Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown. Both are capable of putting up double digit scoring nights, and they are the most offensively gifted subs on Phil Jackson’s bench.
Next: Fixing Kobe Bryant…
There is little question that the bench is the most impeding force right now in the Lakers repeat quest, but that is definitely not the only problem. The next problem that needs to be fixed is Kobe Bryant. While Bryant is a former MVP and still one of the best players in the league, his countless injuries are beginning to catch up with him. Bryant needs to adjust his game and recognize that his bumps and bruises are limiting him offensively, and until he gets them fixed he is not going to be as effective on the offensive end as he is when healthy. He is averaging far too many turnovers and is taking far too many shots, and both of these stats lead to scoring options for the opposition.
Bryant is still the best player on the Lakers, and they will not repeat without him. However, he needs to realize that he is not going to be the dominant offensive player he was when he was healthy. Bryant and the rest of the Lakers need to begin to use their size to their advantage. If and when Bynum returns, the Lakers have a down-low duo that no other team can match. The issue arises when the Lakers are too lazy to force the ball inside and punish the opposing centers in the paint. Gasol may get criticized for not being one of the most physical players in the league, but he possesses a set of offensive skills that very few men of his size posses.
The Lakers have two deadly weapons in Bynum and Gasol, and much of their potential success in the playoffs is going to depend on how much they utilize them. The Lakers are the most talented team in the Western Conference, and probably in the entire NBA. They must take advantage of their talent if they want to play into June, but they must also learn to play as a team. The offense has been stagnant at times, where too many players rely on the isolation abilities of Bryant, or they take ill-advised three-point attempts that lead to fast breaks for the other team. Much of the Lakers offense depends on movement and fluidity, but when they play the style of ball they have played over the past few weeks there is too much standing around and mid-range jumpers.
Next: Ron Artest and the Triangle Offense…
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Many people have criticized Ron Artest for his inability to blend into Phil Jackson’s offense, claiming that Ariza was a better fit for the team. While it is undoubtedly true that Ariza blended into the triangle with more ease, these pundits fail to see how much of an impact Artest has had on the team. I am under the belief that Ron Artest has been the most consistent player on the Lakers all season, and that much of the criticism is unwarranted. The Lakers did not bring him in to score 20 points a night, but to prevent the opposing team’s best player from doing just that. On the defensive end, where the Lakers historically struggle, Ron Artest has brought energy and toughness, which is exactly what the team needed.
Overall, there are several things that the Lakers need to change if they want to advance in the playoffs. However, they are not alone in this quest. Every team feels they need to tweak their game or fluctuate their rotation a little bit going into the post-season in order to maximize their potential. Just because the Lakers have struggled slightly down the stretch does not necessarily mean it is time to bring in the fire and brimstone. Remember this Lakers fans, the team is still the top seed in the Western Conference and the favorite to reach the NBA Finals, and in many cases, win it. A little bump in the road might help develop the toughness and attitude the team will need to succeed in the upcoming months.
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