Lake Show Life
Fansided

3 massive preseason issues that will doom the Lakers season

By Jason Reed

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks during a news conference before a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at T-Mobile Arena on October 05, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks during a news conference before a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at T-Mobile Arena on October 05, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

2. The Lakers have a turnover problem

The big narrative surrounding the purple and gold last preseason was how much the team (and Russell Westbrook in particular) were turning over the basketball. Back then it was just pitched as learning curves for the team and once the regular season started these issues were just going to go away.

They didn’t and we saw how poorly the offense was last season. Los Angeles averaged 14.5 turnovers per game last season, which was the fourth-most in the entire NBA. Los Angeles forced 14 turnovers per game as well. It is really hard to win basketball games when you are losing the turnover battle.

We have seen that same issue translate to this preseason even though Russell Westbrook has not been a big contributor to that total. Thus far in the preseason, the Lakers are averaging a staggering 18.75 turnovers per game.

The number won’t be that high during the regular season with fewer G League players getting minutes but that number is still way too high for the Lakers to be confident. Especially when Austin Reaves is leading the way with an average of 3.25 turnovers per game in only 23.8 minutes per game.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have forced an average of 13 turnovers by their opponents. Losing the turnover battle by more than five is the no. 1 ingredient to an awful season, regardless of how much star power you have.

Home/Lakers News