Mike D’Antoni to Go Big Against Houston
Nov 3, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Chris Kaman (9) shoots over Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
According to Mike D’Antoni, the Los Angeles Lakers may be benching Shawne Williams. The goal is to counteract the Houston Rockets’ big lineup of Omer Asik and Dwight Howard.
D'Antoni says Lakers will go big tomorrow vs. Houston. Wouldn't give specifics, but Jordan Hill instead of Shawne Williams makes sense.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) November 6, 2013
The 6-9 Shawne Williams hasn’t been what Mike D’Antoni expected. Williams was brought in to fill the stretch-four role, but has only shot 30 percent from three. In fact, Williams is playing a mere 13.6 minutes per game. In those minutes, he is averaging 3.2 points, 3 rebounds, and he is shooting just 35.3 percent from the field. It appears there needs to be a change, no matter who the Lakers the face next.
The Lakers have two options for the new change. The first one is Chris Kaman. It looks like Pau Gasol and Kaman have some nice chemistry together, so this might be the way to go. So far this season, Kaman has averaged 9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, and is shooting a much better 61.1 percent from the floor. Now, Kaman may not be a stretch-four, but he can hit a mid-range jumper. That is big because Kaman can sit on the elbows, while Gasol works on the inside, or vice versa.
Chris Kaman may sound like the best option; however, Jordan Hill has something to say about that. In his limited minutes (14.4 a game), Hill is posting 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1 assist, and is shooting 70 percent. The crazy part is Jordan Hill’s offensive rebounding numbers. According to basketball-reference.com, Jordan Hill has an ORB% (Offensive Rebounding Percentage) of 20.7. This means Hill is grabbing every fifth offensive rebound available. That is incredible.
Both bigs have their own pros, so it may not matter who starts. Hill may get the start just to inject some energy into the lethargic looking offense. Kaman and Nick Young would end up being the scorers for the second unit, which could work. It really doesn’t matter what the Lakers do, as long as they start posting better numbers.