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Los Angeles Lakers on right track, must stay the course

By Leandre Ochoa

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 21: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a lead over the New York Knicks with Kyle Kuzma #0 during the first half at Staples Center on January 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 21: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a lead over the New York Knicks with Kyle Kuzma #0 during the first half at Staples Center on January 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers: After missed games Lonzo Ball looks to be MVP
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 27: Julius Randle #30, Lonzo Ball #2 and Larry Nance Jr. #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on from the bench in the fourth quarter of the game at Staples Center on December 27, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images). NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /

No Lonzo, no problem

With Lonzo out of the lineup and Brandon Ingram trying to find his rhythm after an ankle injury, the Lakers looked lost on offense. Jordan Clarkson, whose name has been continually thrown in the rumor mill, has clearly picked up some of the slack in Lonzo’s absence.

In Clarkson’s last three games, he has averaged 7.0 assists and 28.0 points, including 22 points Tuesday night in the Lakers 108-107 victory against the Celtics.

Kyle Kuzma, increasingly consistent with remarkable performances, poured in 28 points, 17 of them coming in the 4th quarter. He helped the Lakers get another impressive victory over the Eastern Conference’s top seed.

18-29 sounds like an underachieving record, especially with Kuzma, Julius Randle, and Clarkson playing out of their minds, and a bench accompaniment that implements Walton’s organized defensive and offensive schemes in a way that feels loose, free, and fun. Playing with youthful freedom and naiveté keeps the Lakers’ core fearless and hungry to learn with each win and loss.

While that nine-game losing streak struck fear for both Lakers employees and fans alike, the errors and frustrating moments for a young team learning to close out games should be forgiven.

The Lakers have had a better record through 47 games in each subsequent season since 2014-15. At this same point last year, the Lakers were 16-31. It isn’t an equal comparison, but in comparing these Lakers to an NBA team of the past, knowing some history could help understand one’s idea of a team in the midst of discovering who they are.

The first season Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook (Westbrook’s rookie year) played together at Oklahoma City, the Thunder went 11-36 during their first 47 games, including a 14-game and an eight-game losing streak. At one point, their record was 3-29, and finished the 2008-09 season at 23-59. The very next year, (KD’s 3rd season, Westbrook’s 2nd season) OKC ended with a 50-32 record, good for the 8th seed in the Western Conference.

Not to say that Ingram, Lonzo, and Kuzma are the second coming of Durant, Westbrook, and James Harden, but even potential MVP caliber players struggled during their infant stages.

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