Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers end losing streak, but challenges still exist

By Donny McHenry

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 19: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the first half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 19, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 110-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 19: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the first half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 19, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 110-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 22: Travis Wear #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Missing Depth

The Lakers miss Ingram’s scoring ability and length on defense, Hart’s defense/rebounding, and Isaiah’s bench scoring. But when all of these injuries pile up, the main concern for the Lakers is just overall depth as I said above. There will more than likely be some fatigue in Monday night’s game for those players who played large minutes on Saturday. Especially combined with the fact that the Lakers are towards the end of a road trip. Expect some of the players to lose their legs towards the end of Monday’s contest with the Pistons.

In addition to having tired players as a result of missing depth, there are also players getting minutes who don’t usually get them. Travis Wear and Tyler Ennis were those two players on Saturday, each playing 19 and 18 minutes, respectively. Travis Wear, luckily, has performed better than expected since he was called up from the G-League (good enough to be signed to the team for the rest of the season). Tyler Ennis on the other hand, leaves a lot to be desired on the court, as he has put up a -6.5 net rating all season, bad enough for last on the team (of players who have played 40+ games) for the year. And even though Wear has performed well enough to get minutes and stay on the team, he lacks defensive skills needed to match up with other 4’s in the NBA.

Isaiah being back would take Ennis’s minutes back down, while Ingram and Hart being back would allow Kuzma to move back to his role of being the main 4 for the team, reducing Wear’s minutes on the floor. Having those players back is key, so that Wear and Ennis don’t have to try and perform past their capabilities.

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