Looking deep into the Lakers' performance so far

[Real Deal]

Long read, hope you sit down and look it over, though.

 

Well, eventually, my confidence in this team collapsed. I've been spitting the same thing about D'Antoni and Nash since September or October (mostly Nash, until D'Antoni arrived, and then I was in full panic mode). When this happens, you can always expect a write-up from me, right?

 

Took me a bit, but I figured it would be great to go in and see just how each of these coaches have done. I realize the first two played just five games each, but if that bothers you, ignore that and just take a glance at D'Antoni's numbers.

 

------------------------------------

 

The team is 12-12 without Nash this season.

 

Our original starting five (Kobe, Howard, Nash, Gasol, Artest) is 0-5 together.

 

Mike Brown Era (1-4, Nash for two games, both L's)

Lakers: 47.0% FG, 34.8% 3PT (18.4 3PTA/G), 66.3% FT, 44.6 RPG, 19.6 APG, 8.0 SPG, 5.0 BPG, 18.2 TO, 21.4 PF, 97.2 PPG

Opponent: 44.7% FG, 35.6% 3PT, 22.8 FTA/G, 35.4 RPG, 21.0 APG, 9.6 SPG, 5.2 BPG, 12.4 TO, 24.2 PF, 98.8 PPG

 

Bernie Bickerstaff Era (4-1, no Nash)

Lakers: 45.6% FG, 34.2% 3PT (22.8 3PTA/G), 72.1% FT, 49.0 RPG, 23.0 APG, 7.4 SPG, 6.8 BPG, 14.8 TO, 14.2 PF, 103.8 PPG

Opponent: 42.2% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 15.6 FTA/G, 40.8 RPG, 22.2 APG, 8.8 SPG, 4.4 BPG, 13.4 TO, 22.6 PF, 92.2 PPG

 

Mike D'Antoni Era (12-20, Nash for 16 games, 11 L's)

Lakers: 45.0% FG, 35.7% 3PT (26.2 3PTA/G), 69.8% FT, 44.3 RPG, 21.8 APG, 7.1 SPG, 5.6 BPG, 14.5 TO, 19.3 PF, 102.9 PPG

Opponent: 45.8% FG, 35.9% 3PT, 21.4 FTA/G, 44.0 RPG, 24.2 APG, 8.1 SPG, 5.2 BPG, 12.9 TO, 23.1 PF, 103.4 PPG

 

I've highlighted the concerning numbers in red...all being the lowest among the three coaches.

 

It's clear we are a worse defensive team with D'Antoni...by quite a bit. We allow teams to play at a faster pace, and PART of that is us launching more threes every night, and taking shots early in the clock.

 

Our Pace Factor (number of possessions in 48 minutes) is second in the NBA, at a staggering 94.7. For a team that has four of five original starters in their thirties (Kobe, Nash, Gasol, Artest are all out of their ultimate primes), that's a super-fast pace. But what do you expect with a D'Antoni/Nash-led offense?

 

Well, unfortunately, when we run...the opposing team runs. That's how it goes. D'Antoni was quoted saying that the Memphis Grizzlies outran us tonight.

 

Do you want to know what the Grizzlies' Pace Factor is? It's 28th in the league.

 

------------------------------------

 

Steve Nash is a major defensive liability. Because he can't defend his man, Kobe Bryant is having to spend more energy defending PG's. That means less help defense by the best help defender on our team, other than Dwight Howard. And with less help defense comes more defensive exposing, all directed at Pau Gasol and Antawn Jamison...who are awful defenders.

 

Pau Gasol can't post up with Dwight? Yes he can. Run a double-post motion offense. It doesn't work? Gasol doesn't need to be two feet from the rim...he can take short jumpers off the block, or make passes out of the low post, all while Dwight maintains his position. Ah, and that gives us two offensive rebounders near the rim.

 

We don't have shooters? We would have a lethal shooter, if Nash (who is a 50/40/90 shooter and arguably the greatest shooter we've ever seen at the PG position) would take just a few more shots a night, playing off of two superstars (Kobe and Howard). He could settle for a 5-8 assist night, correct? I'm appalled to find out that this offensive genius can't adjust accordingly.

 

So with two threats from outside (Nash and Artest), how does that help our pick and roll? Significantly, especially if Nash establishes himself as a shooting threat. Why? Well, why would any player, in their right mind, leave him open to follow Howard to the rim? Why would any player leave Howard for a split second? Confusion is best generated by two scoring threats in that particular P&R situation. If Nash doesn't solidify himself as a threat, it's an easier decision for the opponent.

 

Where can Kobe play once one of our bigs take a seat? In the post. Can't do that in a D'Antoni offense, though, because he's not a ball-handler UNLESS he's in ISO on the perimeter.

 

Meanwhile, what is Nash doing when Kobe engages? Nothing. He doesn't cut to and through to the corner, he doesn't use a screen, he doesn't curl...so we basically play one half of the court, and weak side play ceases to exist (Kobe's perspective).

 

We go without multiple shooting threats, we lose spacing. We lose spacing, our two superstars are much, much easier to defend. Howard becomes easier to front in the post with multiple players...not so hard to slide 5-10 feet over and cover him with backside help. Kobe has a man on him AND one within two steps of a charge. In pick and roll, the opposing team can come out and push Nash 30 feet from the rim, simply because Dwight Howard is not a shooting threat, Nash doesn't establish himself as one, and Gasol is too slow to roll to the rim, as well as him being passive and choosing not to score.

 

The result? Ron Artest becomes our secondary scoring option...and to no one's surprise (maybe), he's shooting threes, not in the post. Kobe is strictly in ISO most of the game, once the ball comes to him. Dwight is being fronted, and because he has lost a bit of jumping ability, and because the spacing is horrible, he can't get the ball over the top. Once that ball reaches its peak elevation, and headed towards Dwight's fingertips, the opposing defenders are taught to lead him close to the baseline OR pack around him in the paint, then go "hands out" to cause the strip and prevent him from bringing the ball over his head.

 

We are scoring buckets on the offensive end, and our Offensive Rating is in the top 10. That doesn't mean we're a good offensive team, it means we're relying on Kobe far too much. Bryant should not have to play 40 minutes, score 30 points, and throw 5-6 assists for us to be within reach in some of these games. Our offense is not good if Ron Artest is our second scoring option, and he is shooting more shots per game (11.1) than Dwight (10.3) and Nash (8.3), and as many as Gasol (11.3). Yes, no joke...this is happening.

 

Why so bad on defense? Long misses cause fast breaks we can't defend. Turnovers do the same thing. We complain about fouls, and don't get back in time. We have absolutely no defensive strategy for guard penetration (leading guards to the paint or baseline, into Dwight) or for pick and roll situations (over/under, knowing when to switch, etc). We have two weak links in our starting five (Nash, Gasol...basically, Pau is a starter, since he plays big minutes) and multiple from our bench (Jamison and Meeks notably horrible).

 

We are old, but we TRY to play like we're young. In 2008 and 2010, the Boston Celtics were old...and played that way. Strategically. In 2011, the Dallas Mavericks did the same thing, and won it all. The following year (just last year), the Miami Heat were old compared to a fresh, young Oklahoma City Thunder team...and, yet, they realized that LeBron's post game, spreading the floor with three-point shooters, and not allowing the Thunder to ignite breaks, was going to put a ring on their fingers.

 

If we're playing without an identity, we are playing without effort. Rotations are broken. How many minutes will Jodie Meeks log next game? Will Jamison play the three or four? Will Darius Morris or Chris Duhon be our backup point guard? The 2010-11 Miami Heat ran through this, head first, for 17 games...and then they decided to change their offense. Once they adjusted, they went 21-1 over their next 22 games.

 

What would 21-1 do for us at this point? Do the math...38-26...64 games, 6th in the Western Conference.

 

Unfortunately, the Lakers don't give us any indication that they are going to change, and it could be this way for the next three seasons. If we lose Dwight this year, we go into the 2013-14 season with roughly $59 million dedicated to JUST Kobe, Gasol and Nash. That's the salary cap, ladies and gents. No free agents for us. If our plan is to let Gasol expire after next season (which will be an unforgettable one, for all the wrong reasons), we will have a Kobe/Nash squad...and that's if Kobe decides to extend (and with how these next 1 1/2 seasons could go, he'd consider retirement). Nash will be months away from 41 years old in the fall of 2014. Think about that.

 

We have made multiple mistakes over the years, from giving away large contracts to a couple of coaches (who clearly didn't fit here) and trading away draft picks (and making bad picks), to keeping Pau Gasol until his knees rust away and playing four entirely different offenses from May 2012 to January 2013. Instead of building a solid team around our two superstars, we have asked our two superstars to adjust to a 39-year old point guard that is playing like he's 39 years old (imagine that). Do the Knicks center their offense around Jason Kidd, or Sheed in the post? Boston is under .500 because three of their best are 35-36 years old, and the offense runs through them (especially Pierce and Garnett). If it wasn't for Rondo, and the fact that they are familiar with each other, they would be a disaster. The Spurs have stacked young players around their two oldest (Duncan and Manu), and Duncan is having an incredible season, regardless.

 

Dark times are ahead of us, if we don't play our cards right. As of now, our record in April isn't the biggest concern. Someone, whether it's Jerry or Jim, Mitch, or Jeanie reading from a hand-written note from one of them, needs to speak up and admit there have been crucial mistakes made to rebound from our preseason blunder, and with that recognition should come major changes as soon as possible. If not, we're heading in the same direction Boston is...but without a Rajon Rondo...and with the Clippers having the potential to rip away all of our free agent prospects, rebuilding may not be a pretty sight.

[Sħãlïq™]

Great post, man. Hadn't realized many of the things you pointed out (then again I'm not a die-hard Laker fan like you). Thanks for taking it to my attention! Couldn't help giving you a well-deserved +1.

[Check my Stats]

The simmons-lowe email exchange on Grantland is another decent read regarding LA. it comes down to D'Antoni. Accountability is non-existent on both ends of the floor, Pau gasol has been relegated to being big Z on offense, and Kobe's constant cheating on defense is setting the tone for the rest of the team. Simmons said something along the lines that there are 2 types of coaches; ones that look at their players, and develop a system that suits them, and others who look at their players and force their players to play in their system. Obviously D"Antoni is the 2nd one.

 

I can't help but wonder what a coach like Van Gundy would be able to do in LA, where you know there would be accountability on both ends of the floor, which i honestly think is one of the biggest, if not the biggest problems in LA right now.

 

Here's a link to the article if you're interested:

 

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8872264/lakers

[Sħãlïq™]

The simmons-lowe email exchange on Grantland is another decent read regarding LA. it comes down to D'Antoni. Accountability is non-existent on both ends of the floor, Pau Gasol has been relegated to being big Z on offense, and Kobe's constant cheating on defense is setting the tone for the rest of the team. Simmons said something along the lines that there are 2 types of coaches; ones that look at their players, and develop a system that suits them, and others who look at their players and force their players to play in their system. Obviously D"Antoni is the 2nd one.

 

(...)Here's a link to the article if you're interested:

 

http://www.grantland.../8872264/lakers

 

Z? More like Z-:

 

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0123/grantland_kg_pau2yrcomp02_1152.jpg

 

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0123/grantland_kg_pau2yrcomp01_1152.jpg

[TheNotoriousBANG]

pau is still a 18 ppg 10rpg player on any given team

he is playing like this on purpose,

 

why go hard when the head coach is an idiot who wants to play you off the bench and make you change your game

when your already established???

 

gasol is jus taking it easy, waiting for the trade and he'a gonna bust off big time

like VC once he became a net

[Lemon]

Dark times, indeed.

[Nitro]

To sum up my feelings on why the Lakers have sucked this year, in order of importance...

 

1A) Coaching.

 

1B) Depth.

 

2) Being below average athletically at 4 of the 5 starting positions, and also basically the entire bench.

 

3) Injuries.

 

4) Gasol.

 

 

Bottom line is their 2 "permanent" coaches are retards, they lack talent outside of the top 4 and that 4th guy has played miserably, and since training camp they've been hit pretty hard with injuries to their most important players. Add it all up and you get this shit show.

[Real Deal]

The funny thing about our lack of depth is, there's really no use in giving it as a reason for our struggles because, quite frankly, our starters can't even build a lead to allow our bench to come in and do anything (and I'm sure they wouldn't to begin with, we have nothing in our second unit, aside from Earl Clark...who was just moved up to starter).

 

Even a team with one of the worst benches in the league (like we had once or twice in the last few seasons) should be above .500 with this type of talent in the starting five, but being great on paper means nothing if you don't have a coach to put it all together with the correct offense and ANY kind of defensive system (at this point, I don't give a shit what he wants to do on defense, as long as he practices SOMETHING).

 

Don't worry, guys...I can handle this frustration. I've been an Oakland Raiders fan for over two decades, so I'm prepared for this.

[Nitro]

The funny thing about our lack of depth is, there's really no use in giving it as a reason for our struggles because, quite frankly, our starters can't even build a lead to allow our bench to come in and do anything (and I'm sure they wouldn't to begin with, we have nothing in our second unit, aside from Earl Clark...who was just moved up to starter).

 

See, I look at it a bit differently...having a deep bench allows you to adjust if the starting lineup is sucking like it has been. They have NOTHING to replace Nash, Kobe and Metta with if those guys are being exposed by their matchup (Nash's poor defense, a cold shooting night by Kobe, Metta being...Metta, etc...). They have 0 explosive scoring threats off the bench. They've never had any reasonable replacement for Pau during all his struggles (Clark is nice, but he's not starter material yet, and he's undersized). No defensive stoppers off the bench. No one that can change the tempo of the game in contrast to the starters.

 

I do agree they should still be above .500, but I still view it as a HUGE reason for their historical sucking.

[Alpha 4]

Don't worry, guys...I can handle this frustration. I've been an Oakland Raiders fan for over two decades, so I'm prepared for this.

 

You should say that on TLN bruv.

 

Fortunately for myself, I started watching the Lakers in the post-Magic era with Del Harris. And watched them during the post-Shaq era.

[Nitro]

Fortunately for myself, I started watching the Lakers in the post-Magic era with Del Harris. And watched them during the post-Shaq era.

 

Stop. Since Magic left you guys have NEVER won less than 33 games. Had a losing record only 3x. Within 5 years after breaking up Showtime you guys were back winning 50+ games with a young Shaq/Kobe duo. Since Magic left you guys have won 50 games 14x (counting the lockout seasons based on winning %). You won 60+ games 3x. 5 championships. 7 Finals appearances. Saw two top 10 players in their primes.

 

Meanwhile, here in NJ...

 

http://pauloccamacho.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/netsfansbags.jpg

 

YOU DON'T KNOW PAIN LAKERS FANS!!!!

[Nitro]

When you started watching the Lakers you had banner after banner hanging in the rafters, fielding solid teams and having all that history to remember.

 

When I had Nets season tickets in '97 you know what I got? Keith Van [expletive]ing Horn, and the stupid pre-game video on the jumbotron of him flying a [expletive]ing spaceship with Kerry Kittles (or Kedall Gill, I forget). Oh, we did have this up and comer with a lot of promise named Jayson Williams. He fulfilled that potential by shooting his limo driver with a shotgun.

 

I hope to god the Lakers suck for a few years to bring you fans down to Earth a bit...not necessarily you or anyone here, just in general. Greediest, most entitled fanbase in all of sports besides the Yankees.

[Alpha 4]

You need a hug there Nets-bro?

Edited January 25, 2013 by Alpha 4

[Real Deal]

Pretty sure it's scrapped!

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/35614/lakers-rise-as-dantonis-offense-ditched

 

 

Tons of quotes from Lakers reporters, saying that both Nash and MDA are good with playing through Kobe.

 

YES.

[Real Deal]

And here's D'Antoni talking about how much better the offense is through Kobe, how Nash can't make everyone better at his age (and Kobe can), etc.

 

[Lemon]

Kobe won't always be passing so efficiently, but as long as he's in the post I'm happy.

[Warren2ThaG]

is there any cheap point forwards we can trade for in a simple trade

[The Regime]

Funny how people are blaming the lack of depth but at the start of the season Laker fans and NBA fans alike were drooling at the thought of having Meeks, Jamison, and Hill come off the bench. This team was supposed to be flawless.

 

I've been complaining about the lack of athelticism on this roster for the past two years now. The game is evolving but managmement hasnt tweaked the roster one bit. The whole twin tower thing hasn't worked under D'Antoni and it wouldn't have worked under any other coach because Pau is DONE. We should have traded when his value was peaking a season or two ago for an atheltic wing and started Jordan Hill especially after how well he played in the postseason last year. But how we're either stuck with him for next season or will get garbage in return if we decide to trade him.

 

I fail to see how Dwight is a superstar, granted he still isn't at full strength yet and probably wont be this season. He doesn't have a post game. His go to move is a running sky hook which is very ineffective as he gets stripped a good chunk of the time because he brings the ball so low. Should his shot attempts be higher. Yes. But I'm not convinced that he would do much even if we made it a point of emphasis of getting him more post ups.

[Real Deal]

A non-superstar doesn't carry his team to the NBA Finals.

 

He doesn't seem like that player right now, but he's still giving us 17/12 on 58% FG (nearly his career averages), and his defensive numbers (oppFG% and oppPER) are actually better than they were back in 2009.

 

He gets stripped a lot because we have nobody to spread the floor, and it's very, very easy for the defense to take a step into the paint if we aren't threats from beyond the arc.

 

How easy has it been to front him with multiple players?  It's devastating, if a team can do that to us.  It's one thing to front the post with one guy, and everyone else is spread out...but to be able to switch off with THREE DIFFERENT GUYS in one possession?  That's insane.  That's horrible, horrible spacing.

 

It was never the right offense.  It wasn't right for Dwight, Gasol, Kobe, even Nash...who is nearly 39 and struggling to come out of the P&R without being trapped 28 feet from the rim.

 

Therefore, we changed it up significantly, making Nash the shooter, Kobe the facilitator...and it will work.

 

------------

 

Anyone old enough remember 1989, Chicago Bulls...Jordan's eight of nine games where he had triple-doubles?  Remember when Craig Hodges was starting?  He hit 22-31 from three in a stretch of six consecutive games for Chicago, and Jordan was racking up so many assists, he looked like Magic Johnson in a Bulls jersey.

 

When Craig Hodges fell to injury, John Paxson replaced him...and Paxson wasn't a good three-point shooter at the time, shot maybe eight or nine threes in his last nine games of the season, and it was FAR too easy to defend Jordan...and the Bulls were dreadful to finish the season.

 

Nash needs to be our three-point shooter.  He's the greatest shooter at the PG position...ever.  One of the greatest shooters, period.  It puzzled me, seeing him pass up so many shots...but, with the change in our offense (as MDA and Nash pointed out), we can start winning games and make a serious push for the playoffs.

[Real Deal]

Straight from Nash's mouth:

 

 

"Yeah this isn't really Mike's system," Nash said. "We're all trying to find a commonality. I think that was the idea [to play D'Antoni's system] but maybe the pieces don't fit that system like we thought they could have and we're trying to find a hybrid of options we can be effective at."

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/36057/steve-nash-more-comfortable-in-new-role

[kingfish]

Why the [expletive] did we hire a coach whos system we cant even run.