Without Kobe More Three Point Shots, Fewer Free Throws

The three game Kobe Bryant-as-spectator has come to an end.

Kobe’s necessary absence allowed the “others”- as Shaquille O’Neal likes to call them- to be in the spotlight. His absence on the court created relief and at the same time, questions. It’s easy to be a Kobe critic. But how do you play without him, without his energetic presence and dominating work ethic? How exactly would the Lakers manage? Nick Young quipped that some of the Lakers played like “Django Unchained.” But, individual accomplishments are irrelevant without team success. Could the Lakers execute better without Kobe Bryant? You knew they would be different, but would they be precise? And tough?

The Offense:

Dec 26, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Charlie Villanueva (3) shoots past Los Angeles Lakers forward Ed Davis (21) during the game at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Overall, there wasn’t much change. The Lakers scored the same amount of points in Kobe’s absence as they did before he took time off. The Lakers offensive rating was slightly higher than when Kobe played the first 27 games. The Lakers moved the ball more, 22 assists as opposed to 20, but their field goal percentage, for the most part, remained unchanged (43%). The biggest hit on offense was free throw attempts. They dropped dramatically, from 26 a game to 19. No creators or finishers, no creative jump shooters means opposing teams don’t have to double team, they can guard shooters. 13% of the Lakers points came from the free throw line, not 18% when Kobe is playing.

The Lakers took more three point shots out of necessity. It was a throwback to D’antoni ball. Remember Byron Scott’s dream of taking 15 threes a game? Against the Warriors, the Lakers took 26 three point shots. Against the Bulls, they took 16 three point shots (good defenses take away your game plan), and against the Mavericks the Lakers took 29 three point shots. On the year, the Lakers are averaging 20 three point shots a game. In Kobe’s absence, 27% of their points came from three point shots as opposed to 20% when Kobe is in the lineup.

The Defense:

The Lakers were slightly better, giving up 106 points a game rather than 109 points. Their one-on-one defense was still abysmal. Nick Young got schooled by Jimmy Butler on Christmas Day. Chandler Parsons and Rajon Rondo did whatever they wanted to do when they played the Lakers on Friday night. Not surprisingly, Lakers opponents shot a slightly better percentage, 48%. But the Lakers were a little bit better in limiting the number of assists of their opponents, from 24 a game to 22 which only means there were a lot of dribble to rim layups and dunks, assists not needed.

4^th Quarter:

The first three quarters of Kobe’s absence, the Lakers were a little better offensively. But in the 4^th quarter, they missed Kobe’s ability to draw double teams for open shooters. Against the Bulls, in the 4^th quarter, the Lakers missed 17 shots, shooting 29%. Nearly a third of the misses were Nick Young and Jeremy Lin perimeter shots which were contested.

Against the Mavericks, in the 4^th quarter, the Lakers had a two minute spurt by Nick Young who made (3) three pointers. But, that was neutralized by Charlie Villanueva’s 10 points in 90 seconds for the Mavericks. The Lakers couldn’t defend without fouling. The Mavs took 12 free throws in the 4^th quarter while the Lakers took 5.

Kings Without Kobe:

Carlos Boozer: 17 points, 63% shooting, 7 rebounds.

Ed Davis: 12 points, 56% shooting, 10 rebounds

Ronnie Price: 10 points, 56% from three

Missing In Action:

Dec 26, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) dribbles by Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the game at American Airlines Center. Dallas won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Lin: 7 points 29% shooting

Nick Young: 11 points, 31% shooting

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