Oct 29, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Nick Young (0) is charged with an offensive foul as the bench reacts in the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
But in the end, it’s the bench play that has established themselves as the key cog in the Laker offense. Nick Young, Wesley Johnson, Jordan Farmar, Xavier Henry, Jodie Meeks, Jordan Hill, and Robert Sacre have all contributed to becoming the most effective scoring bench unit in the league. While the starting unit has changed multiple times during the season, it’s the energy, defensive impact, and offensive flow that has allowed the bench unit to contribute more than the starting line up on a few occasions.
Now, I didn’t predict a .500 team, because I knew the injuries would hit eventually. Other fans did. But, honestly, did you really expect a borderline playoff team without Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant being their prime selves?
The Laker team, is knocking on the door.