10 Things We've Learned About the L.A. Lakers in First-Round Playoff Series

After Thursday's 113-96 Game 6 thrashing at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers have much to correct if they want to advance past the first and second rounds of the playoffs.

Potentially facing a hungry Oklahoma City Thunder team in Round 2, the Lakers need to learn from their first-round mistakes and make critical adjustments.

Here are 10 things we learned about the Lakers from their opening playoff series.

Mike Brown's Rotations Are Very Thin

When his team's starters were spelled for bench players, Mike Brown would send out an assortment of three players: Steve Blake, Jordan Hill and Matt Barnes.

The rest of the team's bench—which includes Josh McRoberts, Troy Murphy, Andrew Goudelock, Darius Morris and Christian Eyenga—are non-existent in this series.

Jordan Hill's elevated play during the Denver series has rendered Murphy and McRoberts unnecessary. But Mike Brown failed to experiment with Andrew Goudelock—a long-range threat who can provide scoring all over the floor—when his second unit was struggling for point production.

Trusting his veterans in the playoffs, Mike Brown has kept his rotations tight and fairly predictable.

The Lakers Can't Get the Ball to Their Best Post Player

Perhaps the most frustrating theme of the first round: Why isn't Andrew Bynum getting the ball? Why can't the Lakers get the ball down low when Bynum has post position?

Even after his Game 1 triple-double, the fact Bynum couldn't get the ball was an obvious issue.

After Game 1, Nuggets head coach George Karl decided to double-team Bynum every time and allow his perimeter defenders to sag off their players and prevent easy post passes.

Mike Brown failed to counter Karl's simple adjustment and continued with the stale offense of posting Andrew on the strong side.

Unless Mike Brown begins to run plays for his All-Star center to get him on the block with single coverage, either by bringing him from the weak side, starting him at the top of the key or setting high screen-and-rolls, the Lakers are looking at a quick exit in Round 2 vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder should they get past the pesky Denver Nuggets in Round 1.

The Lakers Fall in Love with the Three Too Easily

During the regular season, the Lakers ranked in the bottom third of the league in three-point field goal percentage. Yet all of a sudden, in the playoffs, it's bombs away?

Since when does Matt Barnes think he's the league's best three-point shooter who can just hoist a shot from downtown every time he gets the ball?

The Lakers settled for far too many long-distance jumpers in their opening round when their biggest advantage is on the inside with their dual seven-footers.

Looking at the breakdown game-by-game from beyond the arc, it's clear the Lakers were not pursuing a winning strategy (save for Game 5) from three-point land:

Game	3-Pt Make/Attempts	3-Point Percentage
Game 1	6-for-17	35.3%
Game 2	2-for-15	13.3%
Game 3	6-for-25	24.0%
Game 4	5-for-17	29.4%
Game 5	9-for-24	37.5%
Game 6	4-for-14	28.6%

Devin Ebanks Can Contribute This Postseason

Forced into a starting role due to Metta World Peace's suspension, Devin Ebanks showed he's quite capable of giving the Lakers big minutes.

Ebanks got off to a tear to start the playoffs, scoring 12 points in the first half of Game 1. Then, for whatever reason, Mike Brown pulled the plug and played it conservatively, opting to go with the veteran yet largely ineffective Matt Barnes the rest of the way.

Ebanks' minimal production in the first round was by no means his fault—Mike Brown was simply unwilling to let the young gun have his chance on an important stage. 

But even with the limited minutes, Ebanks flashed the potential to make huge contributions in a possible match up vs. the young, athletic Thunder team.

Pau Gasol Gets Lost in His Gadget Role

In the 2011 playoffs, Pau Gasol was the target of frustration and criticism for his uninspiring play, particularly during the second-round sweep against the Dallas Mavericks.

This year, instead of forcing his way into the offense, it's a different version of Gasol, making contributions by doing all the little things for his team and playing within the flow of the game.

He's averaging around 4 assists per game, has played good defense (2 blocks per game) and is sacrificing his own scoring to set up his teammates.

However, after his nine-point outing in Game 5 and complete disappearing act in Game 6, Pau's willingness to "do the little things" has made him a silent piece to the Lakers attack. 

Gasol is a world-class player who simply needs more shot attempts to be productive.

Mike Brown Is Easily Getting Outcoached

It's tough to blame a head coach for his players' performance, but for the things we can grade him on—lineups, rotations, adjustments, play-calling—Mike Brown has been sorely outcoached in the opening round.

Mike Brown can't counter George Karl's two point-guard lineup of Andre Miller and Ty Lawson, and would react with a simple Steve Blake substitution to stem the tide.

Mike Brown does not have an answer for George Karl's double-team in the post. He just can't get Andrew Bynum the looks he needs.

Instead of putting the pressure on the Nuggets with defensive adjustments or different offensive sets, Mike Brown is struggling just to keep up with the wily Karl.

For an X's and O's guy who loves game tape, Mike Brown needs to stop playing the game conservatively and trust his instincts when it comes to his team's play. 

Jordan Hill Is the New Lamar Odom

Despite playing an entirely different game than former Laker Lamar Odom, Jordan Hill solidified his place as the Lakers' No. 3 big man during the opening round of the playoffs.

Through his constant activity on the glass and around the rim, Hill has wreaked havoc on the Nuggets, gobbling up offensive boards and imposing his will in the paint on defense.

No, Hill is not left-handed, cannot play the point nor nail three-pointers like Lamar. But what LO lacks in energy, toughness and presence, Hill has in spades.

After his first-round performance, the Lakers will have to pay more than originally expected to re-sign this soon-to-be free agent next year.

Ramon Sessions Must Focus on Defense

Challenged with guarding perhaps the fastest player in the NBA, Ramon Sessions has struggled to keep up with speedy Ty Lawson, allowing Denver's PG to blow by him one-on-one or in space time after time.

Unfortunately, his road doesn't get any easier should he face All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook in the second round.

The Lakers need Sessions to slow down Lawson if they want to advance past the critical Game 7 Saturday.

His energy needs to be spent primarily on the defensive end, and the lockdown defense we saw in his first few games as a Laker needs to be re-discovered if they Lakers have any chance of moving on in the playoffs.

Late Season Rest Has Benefited the Mamba

Sitting out multiple games to end the regular season has done wonders for Kobe Bryant's energy levels in the playoffs, allowing him to both lead his team in scoring and guard the Nugget's opposing ball handlers with ferocity.

The Mamba is averaging 31 points per game and 4.3 assists per game in the first round and has looked fresh game-in/game-out despite logging 40 minutes per contest.

This rest may have contributed to his 44 percent field goal shooting percentage on the series, but after Game 5's fourth quarter performance and Game 6 in which he overcame the stomach flu to drop 31, it's clear any rust has surely been shaken.

Consider the best closer in the game 100 percent.

The Lakers Can't Talk About It, They Need to Be About It

Close out games are easy, huh, Andrew?

They certainly talked about it, but the Lakers failed to actually close out the Nuggets series the first chance they got. 

Their second opportunity? A 17-point smashing by the Nuggets.

Head coach Mike Brown nailed it right on the head:

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"[On Bynum's comments] If you're going to step out and say that, then he's got to back it up, but we've all got to get his back and try to help him back it up"

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It's all about playing like a champion this time of year. They may not be playing like ones right now, but if the Lakers are to pass this test and face a hungry Oklahoma City Thunder team in Round 2, they need to embrace their championship swagger and fast.

We know it's there, but they'll have to prove it in Game 7. Saturday night holds all the cards for this Lakers team.