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Three Things the Lakers Can Learn From the Undefeated Warriors

Eric Yee
Eric Yee

Lake Show Life

Nov 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) reacts in the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports


The Los Angeles Lakers are in shambles, but here are three things they can learn from the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors have jumped out to a 15-0 start, tied for the best start in NBA history, and look to break said record Tuesday night against the Lakers. The two teams are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum, in what can only be described as a Twilight Zone-esque twist: the once afterthought Warriors are now putting teams on notice that this is their league, and you just play in it.

The question now remains, what happened to “the cuddly little Warriors of old?”

It wasn’t always rainbows and butterflies for the defending champion Golden State Warriors. Just like any team not named the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, or San Antonio Spurs, the Warriors had to reach the bottom before ascending to the top.

Just six seasons ago the Warriors finished a dreadful 26-56. Four seasons ago they were 23-43. Even in the season prior to winning it all, the Warriors were bounced in the first round of the Playoffs. So what has accounted for the their rapid rise to success?

Though this question could be answered simply in three words — “Healthy Stephen Curry” — other factors would be the coaching change, which in turn changed the attitude of the entire franchise. That said, there are a variety of other reasons that the Lakers would be wise to recognize.

Next: Defense Wins Championships

Nov 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) guards Portland Trail Blazers guard

C.J. McCollum

(3) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Defense Wins Championships

People praise the Warriors for their free flowing half court offense, exciting transition threes and nonchalant alley oops, but it’s really at the defensive end that they win their games.

It’s the fact that Draymond Green can guard position 1-5 with ease, that Harrison Barnes, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala can switch every screen without a mismatch being created, that Andrew Bogut can rotate freely to help with no fear of his teammates missing a rotation behind him.

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This is what makes the Golden State Warriors truly great, what makes them beautiful to watch. Sure, the offense is what makes them fun, but the defense is what won them a championship.

According to Hollinger’s NBA Team Stats, last year the Warriors ranked first in defensive efficiency, allowing only 98.2 points per 100 possessions. This year they are fifth overall.

If you have ever played pickup basketball, you know that games are considerably more enjoyable when you are able to get out on the break and destroy a team in transition. It’s loads easier to score on the fast break as opposed to running traditional sets; the same is true in the NBA.

The Warriors are known for their dazzling displays from 3-point range but many of them come off of fast breaks, NBA 2K style — instead of attacking the rim on the break, players pull up for three, to the chagrin of coaches everywhere not named Golden State.

That said, to run more breaks, teams need to play defense and get long rebounds, two things the Lakers currently don’t do — Golden State is eighth in rebound rate, Los Angeles 26th.

Subtracting Kobe from the equation, the Lakers starting lineup is filled with capable, athletic defenders. Therein lies the problem, just as the Warriors’ success begins with Curry, the Lakers’ lack thereof starts with Kobe.

That said, the Lakers first step in the right direction must be on the defensive end.

Next: Attempt to Use D'Angelo Russell Like Stephen Curry

Attempt to Use D’Angelo Russell Like Stephen Curry

Easier said than done, but the Los Angeles Lakers must learn to use D’Angelo Russell like Stephen Curry. Despite shooting the majority of his shots off the dribble, the Dubs run a variety of plays for Curry off ball, which frees him up for wide open looks.

Just because you’re the point guard doesn’t mean you have to constantly have the ball in your hands. Stephen Curry’s understanding of this point is one of the reasons for his astronomical rise to super stardom.

Even though Russell is deadliest handling the ball, the Lakers must utilize his knock down shooting ability to make him an even bigger offensive threat. Russell struggled early adjusting the NBA 3-point range but he has shown signs of improvement in recent contests.

As referenced by Kevin Ding, the Warriors’ success all starts and ends with Chef Curry. Every time he steps onto an NBA floor, Steph creates a gravitational pull that draws everyone closer to him.

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This applies not only to fans, whose eyes are glued to Curry as soon as he enters the arena, but more so, with players who must consciously remind themselves to monitor him at all times, or pay the price.

This phenomenon is seen most frequently when Curry is the ball handler — teams double teaming him in order to get the ball out of his hands, in turn, attempting to make someone else beat them — but more impressively when he’s roaming off ball. If allowed the freedom and given the confidence of his coach, in time, perhaps Russell could have a similar effect.

Considering the Lakers starting lineup consists of four ball dominant scoring options, the Lakers would be wise to run plays for Russell off ball, just like they have been doing so often with Jordan Clarkson to start the season.

Stephen Curry shoots a 3-pointer every 3.1 minutes and makes one every 7 minutes of play. That said, it’s safe to assume that nearly 1-out-of-3 of those made threes were likely assisted.

Prior to entering the league, D’Angelo Russell named Stephen Curry as the player who he most emulates but this prediction will only come to fruition if he gets smart and realizes why Curry is so good.

Sure, it helps when you can nail a jumpshot anywhere within 35 feet from the hoop, but Russell would be wise to understand that it’s Curry’s unselfishness that makes him a once in a lifetime superstar.

Next: Reduce Ball Stopping Isolations

Nov 16, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward

Julius Randle

(30) makes a pass in front of Phoenix Suns center

Tyson Chandler

(4) in second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Lakers 120-101. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Reduce Ball Stopping Isolations

The Warriors may very well be the most unselfish team in the league and the Lakers should take notes.

When asked if he’d ever want to branch out and lead his own team, James Harden style, Klay Thompson replied, “Nah. Winning is too much fun.”

Yes, Stephen Curry often puts on a dribbling showcase, proceeding to nail wide open jump shots, but these are just the plays that make the highlights.

The true beauty of the Warriors offense is how free flowing it is and how quickly the ball moves.

When Stephen Curry turns “gravity mode” on and is double teamed, he tends to make the easy pass and his teammates proceed to do the same until an easy bucket is had. You hardly see the Warriors taking contested shots, or looking flustered on the offensive side of the floor. They are poised and prepared at every turn.

If you take away one option, they have three counters waiting for you. Just watch the video above if you remain unconvinced.

For those of you who’d argue that the Warriors offense is far too complex for the Lakers’ current personnel, just look at what the Celtics were able to achieve with a simple drive and dish, motion offense.

A better argument would be, not that it is too difficult, but that the Lakers have too many ball dominant players: Julius Randle, Kobe Bryant, Lou Williams, Nick Young.

Nov 20, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Lakers obviously don’t have the personnel to do exactly what the Warriors do, but any team can benefit by simply moving the ball.

The Warriors’ unselfishness even translates to running fast breaks. If you watch the Dubs, one thing that stands out is how on almost every fast break the rebounder looks to get the ball into the hands of Stephen Curry, or Shaun Livingston if he’s in. Traditionally, this is how fast breaks are supposed to be run, and for good reason.

On the contrary, nearly every Lakers player wants to be a point guard, with Julius Randle and Lou Williams often running the break.

Instead, the Lakers would be wise to get the ball into the hands of D’Angelo Russell, or Marcelo Huertas, on every fast break.

At this point in his career, even Jordan Clarkson isn’t the best option to run the break, as he still hasn’t figured out how to slow down his play speed.

While there are plenty of things that the Lakers could learn from the Golden State Warriors, these are three relatively simple concepts that they could implement right away.

Next: Byron Scott's Criticism Must Extend to Veterans

What other things do you think the Lakers should adopt from the Golden State Warriors? Let us know in the comments below, there’s plenty!

Eric Yee

Eric Yee

Lifetime Lakers' homer who enjoys hacking at golf balls, shooting runner threes and Breaking Bad marathons. Has an English degree from Azusa Pacific University, contributes to LakersOutsiders from time to time.