Lakers: Tarik Black Can Be the Spark Off the Bench LA Needs

One of the Lakers most exciting players did not even crack the rotation for the first three games and while he was gone, his hustle and athleticism was sorely missed.

Even now that Tarik Black been reinserted into Byron Scott‘s rotation, he has been used in a way that does not maximize his abilities. This not only hurts the team, but it hurts the fans as well. Fans who are in desperate need of the kind of ferociously exciting plays that Black made so often last season.

Last year, Tarik Black established himself as an exceptional finisher in the pick and roll. Setting strong screens, he was consistently able to free up ball-handlers for easy looks and slide to the rim to allow for crisp passes.

Black also moved well enough without the ball to allow other players to find him cutting or waiting near the rim more than a few times. Using his athleticism and strength, Tarik was able to finish through ridiculous amounts of contact on his way to the rim.

Perhaps Black’s greatest value, however, is his ability to dominate the glass. Whether offensive or defensive, he showed the ability to grab rebounds at an impressive rate last year, using strength and effort to outwork players with substantial size advantages. On the offensive end, Black proved that he didn’t even need to land after securing the rebound, throwing down multiple impressive put-back dunks throughout the season.

Tarik Black also excelled in transition, running the floor with rookie point-guard Jordan Clarkson on more than one occasion. His presence gives the Lakers a powerful finisher, with the hands to secure almost any pass, even those that look almost impossibly high. This is a valuable asset for a young, fast team, and one the Lakers would do well to use more often this year.

Lakers fans might remember some other memorable plays during Black’s performance against Utah Jazz center, Rudy Gobert, who he put on multiple posters last season. The Lakers could definitely use this type of aggressiveness and energy, as they have looked flat for the majority of the first several games of the season.

Black’s intensity also showed on the defensive end, where he was able to alter and block shots despite being undersized for the center position. The effort alone sets him apart from many of the Lakers bigs this year, who have been content to simply get out of the way when someone breaks down the defense.

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While Black will never be a rim protector like Roy Hibbert, his explosiveness allows him to still be a formidable foe for opponents attacking the rim to contend with. So the question is, why hasn’t Tarik Black made the same kind of impact so far this year?

First of all, he wasn’t given consistent playing time in the preseason and to open the season. Although he was the obvious choice to backup Roy Hibbert, Byron Scott insisted on experimenting with Brandon Bass at the backup center, a project so disastrous it only lasted three games.

Scott’s poor decisions clearly cost Black some of his rhythm, as well as making it more difficult for chemistry to build between him and his new teammates.

Hopefully, Lakers fans will see Tarik Black return to form in the near future now that he’s part of the rotation. The Lakers can use his energy and athleticism, and would benefit from using him in more effective ways. Tarik Black is one of the Lakers most exciting players, and, at only 23, his youth suggests that the best is yet to come.

Next: Lakers Must Look to the Future With Next Coach Selection

Do you think the Lakers should increase Tarik Black’s role? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter @thelakeshowlife!

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