NBA Playoffs 2012: How Jordan Hill's Charge Affects Los Angeles Lakers

Very recently, Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill was charged with a felony for aggravated assault. Allegedly, on February 29th, Hill choked out his girlfriend in Houston, according to ESPNLA. According to the report, there will be a warrant out for Hill's arrest once paperwork is filed.

With jail time and a hefty fine potentially ahead, how will this action affect the blooming Laker?

Now, it is stated in the article above that Hill is good to go for Game 2. Beyond that, nothing is set in stone. The hope is that Hill will remain with the Lakers throughout the playoffs, but if a warrant for Hill's arrest is issued any time soon, expect that hope to immediately die.

If that indeed happens, Los Angeles will be in a world of hurt. The Lakers bench was last in the NBA when it came to bench scoring. With the emergence of Devin Ebanks and Jordan Hill, a new layer of athleticism and consistency came to the Lakers that had been absent all year.

With the possibility of Hill missing games and practices, the Lakers now turn to the other backup big men: Josh McRoberts and Troy Murphy. Any Lakers fan this season will tell you that an absolute lack of production that comes of a result of those two playing.

Also, expect team morale to decline overall. Hill provides a spark off of the bench by getting tough rebounds and playing physical basketball. With no tough play to inspire teammates, combined with no leadership and tenacious defense from Metta World Peace (for five more games), expect some decent struggle for the purple and gold.