Five games into the 2015 season, and the Lakers sit at 0-5, the worst start to a season since the franchise moved to Los Angeles in 1960. Its been a tough start, and the finger can be pointed at many. Some say Kobe is the problem, some say Byron Scott, but no one person can be blamed for some of the team statistics that are eye popping. Defense has been the main issue with this years team, and the numbers speak for themselves. Let’s take a look at some of the key numbers that would help explain the team’s rough start.
12
Let’s start with a positive, because the rest is ugly. The Lakers are 12th in the league in points per game, at 102.0. Believe it or not, the Lakers are averaging more points than the Spurs, Cavs, and the Trailblazers. This could be looked at from two different perspectives. The first one would be that the Lakers are an above average offense, who should be able to compete with most teams. On the other hand, the Lakers are 0-5 despite being in the top half of the league in offense, showing just how bad this team is on the other end.
With Kobe Bryant showing he can still put up points in bunches, and Jordan Hill picking up his offensive game, this team should not have much of a problem scoring 100 points on a consistent basis, especially once Nick Young comes back.
Nov 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill (27) shoots the basketball against Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
117.4
The Lakers rank dead last in points allowed per 100 possessions (defensive efficiency), with 117.4. The Lakers have played 4 elite offensive teams, but that is no excuse to rank 30th in the league. In fact, the next closest team posts a defensive efficiency of 111.5, so the Lakers are on an island in terms of points allowed. There are many factors to this horrid defense, but it all starts with the back court defense. Jeremy Lin and Kobe Bryant have failed to contain opposing back courts, resulting in some monster games.
Take a look at some of these performances against Laker guards: Klay Thompson 41 points (career high), James Harden 32 points, 15-16 from the free throw line, Jamal Crawford 22 points. The Lakers cannot continually allow opposing guards to tear up their defense night in and night out, and in the western conference, the team will see elite guards every night.
36.2
Kobe Bryant is second in the league in usage percentage, at 36.2. This stat basically says that Bryant has the ball 36.2% percent of the time when he is in the game, when his team is on offense. This is the main issue to the Lakers offense, and a factor on the defensive end. When a 36 year old man has the ball for more than one third of the time the team is on offense, something is wrong. This has resulted in a lack of execution at the end of games. Rather than moving the ball around and getting the best shot, the team decides to play hero ball, and constantly give Bryant the ball and get out of the way.
Not only does this effect the offense, but it also effects the defense. Standing around watching one player play one on one will not exactly motivate a player to give it their all on the defensive end. When teams share the ball, and get everybody involved, the players seem to give more effort on defense. Also, if Bryant, 19 seasons into his career, is using the ball 36.2% percent of the time, it is safe to say a good amount of his energy is being applied to the offensive end. Even at 100%, Bryant has a hard time keeping his match up in front of him, but in the fourth quarter, after being fed the ball each and every possession, Bryant will be a huge defensive liability.
Bryant is used to carrying a big portion of the scoring load, but this year’s usage percentage would be the second highest in his career, only behind the epic 2005-2006 season when Bryant averaged a career high 35.4 points per game. The return of Nick Young will definitely take some of the load off Bryan’t shoulders, but do not look for the Lakers to perform well in late games if they continue to feed Bryant the ball at such a high rate.
15-4
This is probably the simplest of all numbers. The Lakers have had a loaded schedule thus far, playing the Clippers, Warriors, Rockets, and the Suns twice. Two of these teams still stand undefeated, and the Clippers and Suns are also elite teams. 15-4 would be the combined record of all the Lakers opponents, so although its been an ugly start, it will get easier. The Lakers from a pure talent standpoint cannot keep up with these teams, on either side of the court.
Like I said, there is never an excuse to be last in the league in defensive efficiency, but it is an excuse to be in last by nearly 6 points. The Lakers have already faced some of the best duos in the league, which helps explain the 116.8 points given up for game, last in the league.
The Lakers still have to play Memphis, San Antonio, and Golden State in their next five games.
4, 8
Our last numbers represent two different categories, but prove the same point. Wesley Johnson has made 4 three pointers this season, and 8 free throws. Coming into this season Wesley Johnson was an x-factor, he needed to up his offensive game, as well as continue to develop on defense. If he could work his way into the 10-13 point per game range, the Lakers would benefit very much on the offensive end. Johnson is still clearly having confidence issues, on both sides.
Not only is Johnson not attempting very many threes, which was supposed to be his role in the starting lineup, but he is also not attacking the basket and using his elite athleticism. Johnson has to start bringing more to the offensive end, because there is a reason to Bryant’s high usage percentage. There simply are not other options for offense. Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer have been nothing more than average, and Jordan Hill has actually shown some offensive potential. But to take some pressure off of Bryant, Johnson is going to need to find some confidence and be a factor on the offensive end.
November 1, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Wesley Johnson (11) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
This frustration that has already built up in these five games is highly due to some of these statistics. Not being able to defend will constantly keep the Lakers out of games, and relying on Kobe too much will simply just catch up to them as the season goes on. Lack of offensive balance, poor perimeter defense, and especially a hard schedule, can be most to blame for the Lakers 0-5 start.
Note: All statistics from basketball-reference.com and ESPN.