Oh Where, Oh Where Has The Lakers Bench Gone?

During the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers had the best and most effective bench in the league. They could come out with the Lakers up by 5, and have them up by 12 when they went off.

Before this season, teams would try to capitalize when Kobe Bryant was off the court, but teams have had just as much trouble winning with him off the court than they have with him on. But since the playoffs began, the Lakers bench has largely disappeared.

Ronny Turiaf

Ronny gave the Lakers an energy boost while he was on the bench and while on the court. Known for his blocking, Turiaf averaged 1.4 blocks per game in his 18 minutes on the court. He is still averaging one block per game in the playoffs, but his scoring and shooting percentage have taken a dive.

While not known for his scoring, Turiaf still averaged a handy 6.6 points per game on 47% during the regular season and had a few games of 15+. Since the playoffs began, Turiaf's shooting percentage has dropped to 33% and as a result, is only scoring 2.3 points per game. 

Jordan Farmar

Jordan Farmar was being recognized around the league as a promising young point guard, destined to be starting when Derek Fisher departs. Based on his performance so far in the playoffs, Lakers management might once again be thinking about drafting yet another point guard.

Farmar has been the most disappointing player on the Laker bench during the playoffs. In 20 minutes, Farmar averaged 9.1 points on 46%, 2.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in the regular season. He has been playing 5 less minutes, but all his statistics have dropped dramatically, particularly his shooting percentage. He has shot 26%, scored 3.6 points, grabbed 1.4 rebounds and only handed out 1.6 assists per game so far.

He is the one the Lakers rely on and needs to practice hard between games and get out of the shooting slump as soon as possible.

Sacha Vujacic

Sacha has perhaps been the only bench player to rise up to the occasion and play better and have an effect on the game. He has had an amazing year shooting beyond the arc, and has shot even better in the playoffs.

He averaged 8.8 points, one assist and 2.1 rebounds of the bench in the regular season. Unlike his other teammates of the bench, Vujacic hasn't faded away. He is averaging the same amount of points but he is shooting at 51%, and more impressively, 53% from three-point land.

He has improved greatly over the season and is being rewarded with increased minutes, and is being trusted and relied upon to his crucial shots down the stretch.

Luke Walton

Luke Walton is also anther player on the Lakers bench to thrive in the playoffs. Walton, like Vujacic is also shooting the ball superbly. It wasn't too long ago when Walton was really struggling to shoot the ball well, and was consistently missing open jumpers.

He averaged 7.2 points per game on 45%. Now he is shooting at 58% and hitting 60% of his three pointers. He is passing the ball well and averaging the same amount of assists as during the regular season, 2.9 per game.  

During the regular season the Lakers bench was one of the main reasons they ended up the top seed in the west. Averaging 32 points, they would dominate the opposition's second unit.

Their performance in the playoffs hasn't been quite as good. 

The Lakers bench has only averaged 25 points compared to the opposition’s bench who are scoring 31. The bench is a key part to the Lakers squad, and really has to play how they did in the regular season.

They might be doing just enough to beat the Jazz, but come Western Conference finals and NBA finals, they performances they are putting up at the moment would not be good enough to win the championship.

Overall

The Lakers bench will need to play better on the road for this team to win a NBA Championship. They must come out with the same energy and passion as they do when they are at home. If not, the Lakers' magical season will come to an end before they and their fans expect it to be.