Halfway thru the 2013 NBA preseason, the Los Angeles Lakers look better than many expected even playing without 5-time NBA champion and 15-time All-Star Kobe Bryant. Thru four games, the Lakers are 2-2 against Golden State, Denver (twice), and Sacramento.
Playing without 17-year Lakers guard Bryant, the Lakers clearly lack an identity. But, credit Coach Mike D’Antoni for trying to instill his pass-first, hit-the-open-man mentality. So far, this seems to be the Lakers new identity on offense. Picture D’Antoni’s Phoenix Suns, except without as much talent or youth. At times, the offense looks smooth and fluid, and sometimes the defense looks solid, but consistency is a problem.
Despite giving up 104 points to the Sacramento Kings in their last game, the Lakers defense has looked better than in recent years, except in transition. Defensively, the Lakers have held their opponents to 93.3 ppg (first 3 games).
And, can we go any further without at least mentioning the Lakers youth movement, notable Xavier Henry and his 29 points off the bench in a win over the Golden State Warriors? Thru four preseason games, Henry is scoring 13.3 ppg, tied for team leader in points per game with Nick Young and Pau Gasol.
Highlights of Henry’s 29 points:
But, as you might expect sans Kobe, it’s been a struggle for L.A.
Who do the Lakers go to on offense? Steve Blake? He was 0/10 in their last game against the Kings. Nash has only scored in one game so far. As a team, the Lakers are shooting a dismal 36.7% and 28.3% from beyond the arc. Maybe, in the regular season the Lakers can force the ball inside to Gasol (48.5% FG) and Kaman (41.2%). Although, among the drivers and slashers, the young Henry leads the way, shooting 45.5% from the field. And, we all knew that would be a problem without Bryant. Nick Young is giving the Lakers 13.3 ppg but only shooting 37.5% FG and 28.6% 3’s in the process. It’s not enough.
What the Lakers have to work on, immediately, is rebounding and transition defense. Consistency off the bench would be helpful, too, but that could take some time.
The Lakers thru 4 Games
-Lakers have been outscored 91-29 on the fast break
-Lakers have been outscored 168-108 in points in the paint
-Lakers have been outrebounded 210-173
-Lakers bench has been outscored 224-174
It’s the preseason, so you can only worry so much about turnovers right now. Certainly, 18.7 turnovers per game is higher than you’d expect during the regular season, where you want to limit it to 12 or fewer.
Rebounds, though, never too early to be concerned. The Lakers are being outrebounded by an average of 10 rpg by their opponents (Lakers: 43.2 rpg; Opponents: 52.5 rpg). You can’t win many games if you’re not rebounding the ball. With two veteran 7-footers on the floor in Gasol and Kaman, they shouldn’t be losing the rebound battle overall.
Shooting. As a team 36.7% and 28.3% from three isn’t even going to win them any high school games (well, maybe a couple). Whether it’s their form or their focus, they need to figure it out.
The last key for the Lakers, right now, is to not go ice cold for five minutes where they can’t score. This happened in game 2 (Denver) in the 3rd quarter. The Lakers missed 8 consecutive shots and were already down by 10 points by the time they scored again. In game 3 (also against Denver), the Lakers were outscored 57-42 in the second half and almost lost the game. The Lakers played the Kings pretty even (73-69 Kings) through the 3rd period, but then the Lakers missed 8 consecutive shots and didn’t score until five minutes into the period. DeMarcus Cousins 16 points and 12 rebounds helped lead Sacramento to the victory over Los Angeles.
The Lakers will have time to contemplate how their preseason is going when they visit China this week and the Great Wall, which they visited on Sunday.
Rob S. De France is a College and University Instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric and Composition. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.
