The NBA is back, even the circus. With the Los Angeles Lakers neatly wrapped in their clown costumes, wigs on their skulls and big red noses. The Hollywood franchise occupies the attention of the media. It is constantly in the news whether it wins or loses. It won’t change until LeBron James wear the tunic.
CQFR: Pathetic Lakers
James, Lakers, so many keywords they sell. All the more so when things go wrong. And precisely, in this moment, it is the catastrophe. The Angelenos have lost their first three games of the season. From an accounting point of view it is bad. But is it really that catastrophic? Would the topic have been dissected if the Phoenix Suns or the Memphis Grizzlies had started the same way? Obviously not.
This does not prevent the results from being truly alarming. Except that behind this 0-3 there may be encouraging signs to look for. Because not everything is to be thrown away in this first week in LA Yeah, let’s go back purely to the scores and the opponents.
Lakers @ Warriors: 123-109
Lakers vs Clippers: 97-103
Lakers vs Trail Blazers: 104-106
Three defeats but only one bad, against the champion in charge, after having been in the game at times. The calendar is not lenient for the Lakers, who have played two favorites in the West and three candidates for the playoffs, one of which is a direct competitor in the 6-10 places. Three defeats, of course, but two at the end of matches played despite an absolutely calamitous address. Come on, here are five reasons to think that the team can raise the bar.
1. Defense!
The Lakers have the second best NBA defense for points conceded per 100 possessions: 103.4. The sample is small and therefore too insignificant, but the visual impression that emerges is interesting. Above all, the team gives the impression of progress in this area. Against the Golden State, Los Angeles defenders sometimes ate two, three cuts in the back in a row. It happens less and less.
The dirty air pockets of last season seem to be on the verge of being canceled and this is already a victory in itself. It could indicate that the message is the work of Darvin Ham feels. Russell Westbrook for example he is targeted by critics but his defense on Kawhi Leonard in the money time against the Clippers was excellent and decisive.
The Angelenos are also the first in wiretapping. Antonio Davis he is especially good as a defensive boss when playing pivot. He is surrounded by athletes, with arms that get in the way of opposing forwards, be it Westbrook, James, Patrick Beverley, Lonnie Waker IVthe combative Austin Reaves or Juan Toscano-Anderson. It’s about finding the right rotation so you don’t get penalized on offense: Los Angeles is the worst team in points scored for 100 possessions.
2. The Los Angeles Lakers won’t always be so clumsy
James was right: if LA has so many open shots it is because the opponent leaves this possibility. Jusuf Nurkic took two steps back as he snapped his most contemptuous gaze when he saw AD seize the opportunity from the corner. Ironically, the bullet hit … the slice.
For now, the Lakers are not punishing the opposing defensive choices. But they won’t always be so clumsy. Mathematically, it remains very, very unlikely. They are currently 21% successful behind the arc as they are among the ten teams to attempt the most 3 points since the start of the season (25 out of 118). With a little more skill, they probably would have beaten the Clippers and the Blazers.
Stats: The Lakers’ catastrophic 3-point skill
Since 2012, no team has finished a season by far below 30%. The Lakers could be approaching this sad sign if nothing changes in the workforce. But mostly they should end up planting a few more hits.
Reaves is at 28% against 31 last year. LeBron has 25-34 years in his career. Kendrick Nunn at 23 when he had never dropped below 35. Beverley at 21 when he has already done 6 seasons in a row at over 38. Davis hasn’t been able to shoot since last year. Walker is 17-31 years old with Spurs in 2021. Westbrook is 8%. In short, these guys are going to put in some hits and the dynamics will then be completely different.
3. Snipers are, much less defenders
Speaking of the embarrassment of his people, James put one on the building of the team and the absence of ” laser “, Namely these snipers out who go crazy the opposing defenses. He has always been surrounded by players of this profile because his ability to create for others and attract the attention of the defense make him ideal complements. But the Californian leaders obviously didn’t understand this.
The booster shot hurts. Fortunately, in 2022 it is quite easy to find real specialists on the market. Much easier than finding good defenders who can jump to multiple positions. The ideal would be to get your hands on “3 and D” but you shouldn’t ask too much either. What is certain is that starting from December there will be changes in the staff.
4. James and Davis are solid
To play the title – ouch – or at least the playoffs, a star association is required. It is rare and therefore expensive. The Lakers are blessed with two of the best 10-15 players in the world featuring LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The problem is everything around them. Except, just the same, it changes easily.
In the NBA, men become products. Players are replaceable when they are not superstars. They are foreign exchange currencies. And then again, it might just take a slightly bigger rotation of 7-8 players for Los Angeles to go from 0-3 to a balanced record after 25 games.
5. Darvin Ham
His message seems to come and his philosophy is pretty good. He respects analysis in the sense that he wants to see his team attack the circle and score many three points. He also focuses heavily on defense. The background of the Lakers game remains weak but it gets better. Knowing that James’ teams have always gravitated primarily to him.
He hasn’t hesitated to put Davis as a pivot since the start of the season and he’s really better for Los Angeles. Yet AD claims to play four. In the end, Darvin Ham is not in a mood. Not even with Russell Westbrook, who sometimes does not hesitate to plant on the bench. He might as well take it out of rotation.
Su Westbrook precisely underlined the real problem of the famous shot attempted 27 seconds from the siren on Sunday evening. For him, it’s not a bad choice but a bad shot – and yes, there is a nuance. He regrets that the point guard didn’t attack the circle when Nurkic was 5 leaks away. But playing “2 for 1” doesn’t fool him. Ham sees the little things. He is encouraged. He seems comfortable in basketball (fortunately but not always so, even in the NBA) and strong in his character. It will take time but his philosophy can lead to something good.
