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Just a couple of weeks ago, Los Angeles Lakers fans were giddy with excitement about the team's chances of doing something special in this year's NBA playoffs, and it was no wonder why. The Lakers were integrating Luka Doncic into a roster that already included LeBron James, Austin Reaves and several solid role players, and they went on an eight-game winning streak while winning 20 of 24 games.
But they have now lost three games in a row and seven of their last 10. Some of the concerns pundits had once the Doncic trade went down are being realized, and these issues could lead to a quicker-than-expected exit for L.A. come playoff time.
These three weaknesses are of particular concern for a Lakers team that looks to suddenly be in a bit of trouble.
The Lakers don't have any overpowering rebounders on their roster. While James and Doncic are good rebounders, neither are certified beasts in that department, and their teammates seem to lack something in that category.
Starting center Jaxson Hayes shouldn't be starting on a good NBA team. He makes a decent effort, but at seven feet tall and just 220 pounds, he lacks the strength and girth to box out opposing big men.
Other than James and Doncic, only one other player currently on L.A.'s roster averages over five rebounds a game: forward Rui Hachimura, who is at 5.1 boards a game. During its current 10-game skid, L.A. is just 22nd in total rebounding percentage as a team.
The Lakers' lack of top-level size and physicality up front not only leaves them vulnerable on the boards but also makes it hard for them to stop opponents when they get the ball into the paint.
This is something that has been a problem over the last few years. While the Lakers are a bigger and more physical team than they were as recently as early this season, they only have two rotational players on standard contracts who are taller than 6-foot-8 and one who is over 6-foot-9.
As a result, they have had to tap into their G League affiliate for backup big men such as Christian Koloko and Trey Jemison III, neither of whom have made more than a modest, momentary impact. This is something that will have to be addressed this offseason.
The Lakers don't always turn the basketball over too much, but when they do, they tend to allow their opponents to get easy points soon afterward.
In their embarrassing 146-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, they committed 21 turnovers, which turned into 27 Bulls points and allowed the Bulls to score 30 fast-break points. Two nights before that, they fell by 29 points to the Milwaukee Bucks, and in that game, they gave up 29 points on 22 turnovers.
Granted, Los Angeles is still developing chemistry with its new team, especially since it just returned to full strength after being short-handed for a couple of weeks. But some of its turnovers have been of the careless or sloppy variety, and there is simply no excuse for that.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: The Lakers' recent losses have revealed three weaknesses
Continue reading...
But they have now lost three games in a row and seven of their last 10. Some of the concerns pundits had once the Doncic trade went down are being realized, and these issues could lead to a quicker-than-expected exit for L.A. come playoff time.
These three weaknesses are of particular concern for a Lakers team that looks to suddenly be in a bit of trouble.
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Rebounding
The Lakers don't have any overpowering rebounders on their roster. While James and Doncic are good rebounders, neither are certified beasts in that department, and their teammates seem to lack something in that category.
Starting center Jaxson Hayes shouldn't be starting on a good NBA team. He makes a decent effort, but at seven feet tall and just 220 pounds, he lacks the strength and girth to box out opposing big men.
Other than James and Doncic, only one other player currently on L.A.'s roster averages over five rebounds a game: forward Rui Hachimura, who is at 5.1 boards a game. During its current 10-game skid, L.A. is just 22nd in total rebounding percentage as a team.
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Interior Defense
The Lakers' lack of top-level size and physicality up front not only leaves them vulnerable on the boards but also makes it hard for them to stop opponents when they get the ball into the paint.
This is something that has been a problem over the last few years. While the Lakers are a bigger and more physical team than they were as recently as early this season, they only have two rotational players on standard contracts who are taller than 6-foot-8 and one who is over 6-foot-9.
As a result, they have had to tap into their G League affiliate for backup big men such as Christian Koloko and Trey Jemison III, neither of whom have made more than a modest, momentary impact. This is something that will have to be addressed this offseason.
You must be registered for see images
Turnovers and points off turnovers
The Lakers don't always turn the basketball over too much, but when they do, they tend to allow their opponents to get easy points soon afterward.
In their embarrassing 146-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, they committed 21 turnovers, which turned into 27 Bulls points and allowed the Bulls to score 30 fast-break points. Two nights before that, they fell by 29 points to the Milwaukee Bucks, and in that game, they gave up 29 points on 22 turnovers.
Granted, Los Angeles is still developing chemistry with its new team, especially since it just returned to full strength after being short-handed for a couple of weeks. But some of its turnovers have been of the careless or sloppy variety, and there is simply no excuse for that.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: The Lakers' recent losses have revealed three weaknesses
Continue reading...
