LAKERS Analysis

So we have started with the regular season and we know about these Lakers so much more that we knew 1 month back. This training camp, preseason games and the first few games gives so much knowledge about these Lakers that we can start our analysis and start dissecting moves and speculate. That’s the reason why I would like to start my new series of analysis. This series of analysis would mostly be for Lakers but I would also be covering my thoughts on other teams.

Let’s start. Lets the get the obvious out. LAKERS ARE BUILT AROUND KOBE. So to create its ideal rotation, we will put Kobe at the focal point in Lakers offense and defense. I would like to mention our strategies in few key parameters like points, assists, rebounds, 3pt %, and offensive rebounds. But it will also include something intangible in defense, team chemistry, setting screens, hustle etc. Again I would be a realist Lakers fan but still be madly optimistic about our chances to win the title. And this is where I would like to bring my blog as a voice of reason which explains what can be done, how can we improve, what should we not do to bridge the gap between current reality and the title hopes. Also the magic number to reach playoffs bottom seed is 50 wins. Also in terms of ranking in western conference Lakers doesn’t fit in top10. Spurs, OKC, Rockets, Portland, Suns, Clippers, Warriors, Mavs, are better. Nuggets, Pelicans are somewhat better. This means we are almost destined to miss the playoffs.

Kobe is A+ star. But we also need to understand that Kobe is 36 yrs old now, that’s almost 80 yrs in basketball terms – the amount of running, training, injuries, banging up, jumps, changed directions are too much to cause lost athleticism in a players body. He may not run as fast, jump as high, quick as he wants. Kobe is extremely elite in his basketball knowledge, footwork and techniques. These are the years when Kobe should play extremely efficient 30 minutes per game and others should take the remaining load. Kobe can then push in playoffs and bring home the title.

To sum it all it means that even is Kobe is A+ elite star and the focus of offense and defense, he should not take all the load of offense and defense.

Defenses should be allowed to pick their poison between providing help defense or double-teaming on Kobe or provide good defense on other side. Offense should have the fear to not mess around Kobe even though they know he is slow and not explosive. And this is how we should play our game. Since these are initial days we will focus on each player one by one and tell what they should do so that they fit in a puzzle to win the title. Without further ado, let’s begin.

Jeremy Lin: Jeremy Lin is one of the most prized possessions of the remaining Lakers which we have. And I am not at all referring to Linsanity which he created. It is mainly because Kobe never had anyone of Lin’s caliber to accompany and share the offensive load. Kobe being old, he needs to keep pressure off his game as much as possible. And that would be possible either if Kobe can plays off the ball or if he has someone reliable to kick out for 3pt shot or if he can get some action and playmaking from weak side so that defense doesn’t collapse on him. With all due respect to Nash [2012-2014] and Fisher Lin is better than both of them in offense and defense. Kobe’s tutelage and experience will rub on Lin and he can be a solid starter by the end of the regular season.

Lin is very very good Pick and roll player. He has a very elite penetration game. In fact he has 3^rd highest scoring percentage in 5ft around the basket after Lebron and Durant if we don’t take into account the centers and power forwards. He has also a good eye to find open shooters. That’s good. But he has a tendency to be turnover prone. There are various types of turnovers, it may be due to poor ball handling or poor shot selection or poor decision making. Lin is better in all 3, where he lacks is his he seems lost in offense. He is born and brought up where he was the scoring point guard and led teams to winning. Linsanity was the time when knicks were bare thin in roster due to injury and had to rely on Lin- the D leaguer to take over games. Also he was playing in MDA point guard friendly system which padded his stats. But Lin has seen his share of bad days and he has evolved into better more mature player. Lin needs a system to work in, where there is clear cut 1^st option, if its taken out by defense a clear cut 2^nd option, then 3^rd option but there should also be enough freeway to make his own decision and exploit the mistakes made by defense.

This brings us to Princeton offense by Byron. Byron has spent 90+% of time of preseason training on defense. I think he should now focus on setting offensive sets and roles and responsibilities. Lin can be so much better in point guard oriented Princeton offense where Kidd, CP3 & Irving shined. His assist to turnover ratio will improve. He wont have to keep dribbling balls to think and make things happen by himself and if needed he can rely on Kobe to go and work his post game and be a spot up threat from beyond 3 pt line. Lin can be the next reclamation project under Byron Scott and a load sharer with Kobe. He is young and athletic and puts effort in defense. With all NBA defensive specialist mentor in Kobe and with the finer nuances which Kobe will share and with hard work and video study Lin can be a good smart defender and yet top 10 point guards in league in offense.

Carlos Boozer – Boozer is the 2^nd veteran which we have who will share playing time and load with Kobe. Expecting something out of Boozer in defense means we are too naive to the world of NBA. I won’t expect that. What I do expect out of him is be the good veteran presence in locker room. Be the ultimate professional and handle the Beta players in the group. We already have demanding personalities in Kobe and Byron. We have extremely self driven professionals in Nash and Randle. So it would really be helpful to have a person who is established in the game to do the balancing act of pushing themselves hard on floor yet be happy and cheerful in the locker room.

That’s just the personality of Boozer. Boozer has made his bread and butter by offense and that’s how he should contribute. When he is playing he should constantly make himself a threat, either as a mid range shooter or with his high post game. He is also a very good rebounder for his height. But he has to contribute most when he is training and not on floor playing. We have some really unpolished gems in Ed Davis , Ryan Kelly, Randle and Sacre. He should set his training camp along with Mark Madsen [Assistant Coach – development and big players] and get these people learn about developing a shooting range. He can certainly help them in getting a go-to move in the post. Make them do many repetitions and then also help them develop a counter to the go-to move.

I was almost tempted to say that Boozer should try to develop weak side defense or at least be a big body in paint so that others can focus better on their defensive assignment but then I remembered if Tom Thibeadeu can’t make him play defense then probably no point wasting time on that aspect. Boozer can be a high post presence. He can be a presence on the defensive rebounds while his counterpart center focuses on defense. I have no expectation from Boozer apart from big body that can keep his hands up and jump and provide 2^nd thoughts in penetrator’s mind. Then he should just turn back and fight and hustle for a rebound. Boozer has been known as a volume player and needs time and patience to let his game develop. I would recommend if he comes off the bench to provide scoring punch along with Nick Young and others.

Boozer is an undersized PF at 6’9. The fact that he has been an all-star on the basis of his scoring and rebounds shows that those 2 skills are very elite. It remains to be seen if he can get those stats because of his old age and reduced athleticism.. But it’s his knowledge which is important. He knows how to maneuver his ways around bigs and play close to baskets. He has that knowledge to choose his spots and pop once in a while with a mid-range jumper. He has developed strength and intellect to fight and rebound among the league’s bigs. It’s these qualities which should be valued. Lakers should not expect anything apart his knowledge sharing and experience sharing in Boozer’s stay here in Lakers. He is not worth enough to play another season at Lakers as it might hinder in growth of Randle and it will block money to sign other marquee signings. But if he can give those knowledge to Ed Davies, Randle, Ryan Kelly, Sacre and Jordan Hill, we can happily spend 3mn$ on him and give him stable 15 mins off bench for this season.