We’re three games into the regular season. What have we learned about the Laker team?
1. We lack three-point shooters.
2. Kobe Bryant can stall the offense with the starting lineup.
3. Jeremy Lin operates on a different plane offensively with Kobe Bryant on the floor.
Let’s stop right there. As weird as it is to say, the Lakers have actually looked more competitive against the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers when focus was emphasized on offense, not defense. How does that make sense? Simple. Players feed on the energy from scoring. Scoring runs occur because the team, as a unit, feels more energized after two or more consecutive baskets. We saw two different teams on both the Warriors and Lakers side last night. We saw a Warriors team that was struggling on offense, because the Laker second unit came in, moved the ball, got open shots, and felt energized on offense. That energy translated to the defensive end.
We saw a Warriors team that pummelled the Lakers. Once the Lakers had a 10-point lead, the Warriors never looked back. They had three consecutive three-point plays and took that momentum all the way through the game.
Kobe Bryant took over the third quarter with 9 of 14 shooting. Unfortunately, ball-movement stopped. The team deflated defensively. It was Kobe Bryant against Klay Thompson for a quarter, but at least Stephen Curry got hot in the second quarter. The Lakers didn’t find anyone else to go to outside of Bryant.
Although Jeremy Lin had a very good game against the Clippers, he is playing against his comfort zone when playing next to Bryant. It’s difficult to treat Bryant like a spot-up shooter or a role player, but that’s what Lin essentially did. He was more successful as a playmaker and shot creator because of it.
Why make Kobe Bryant a role player? It doesn’t make sense.
What does make sense is to fit the lineup around the two best playmakers on the team. Surround Kobe with gritty, defensive-minded players who can maintain the energy while he goes to work in isolation. Surround Lin with a proficient bigman who screens well and shooters that can give him spacing.
It worked during the preseason. Why stop there?
Don’t get me wrong, Jeremy Lin is a starting-worthy point guard. But, when the lineups don’t make sense, the next move is to go with what works. Jeremy Lin with Ed Davis and Wayne Ellington or Jordan Clarkson, works. Kobe Bryant with active bigmen who can grab boards and defensive oriented players? Works.
The Lakers need a win. It’s time to start with a strategy that leads to wins.
What do you think? Should the Lakers keep Lin starting next to Kobe Bryant? Are you happy with Byron Scott leaving the lineup the way it is?
Please leave comments below.