Weighing the Pros and Cons of L.A. Lakers Using Princeton Offense

In this day and age, professional basketball has become a sport of explosive athleticism and transition execution. As we shift our attention to the Los Angeles Lakers, however, we discover what separates sport from art: the employment of an offensive system which requires motion, ball movement and clockwork execution.

With the guidance of assistant coach Eddie Jordan, the Lakers will implement the Princeton offense. Such a system requires the team to act as one, capitalizing on one another's strengths and compensating for the respective weaknesses.

The question is, are the Lakers running the proper offense in order to maximize their current roster's world class abilities?

Pro: Eliminating Egos

As previously alluded to, the Princeton system is one in which all players on the floor play a role of equal importance. In turn, the ego of each superstar in the rotation becomes nullified by a drawn parallel between teamwork and function.

Unless, of course, the system is abandoned all together.

Even if you don't understand the X's and O's of the Princeton offense, the fundamental aspect of the system is motion and ball movement. As a result, an individual's tendency to dominate the ball and run isolation offense becomes abrogated.

Until we come to the final minutes and Kobe Bryant takes over, the Princeton offense creates a true team on offense.

Con: Waiting on Chemistry

Until the Los Angeles Lakers develop team chemistry, there is no way around how ugly this offense is going to look. Although the points may come, there is a direct correlation between a lack of team chemistry on offense and their lack of efficiency on D.

After all, a motion offense with no chemistry will lead to nothing short of lost possessions and a disastrous amount of turnovers.

This has been on full display through the first four games, as the Lakers have committed 18.5 turnovers per game. That number is the fourth-worst in the NBA and is a major reason the Lakers are at 1-3.

It's also why they're allowing 99.8 points per contest.

Until team chemistry has been discovered, those numbers will remain a hindrance on the Lakers' chance at victory. It will also be a reflection on how poorly the Princeton offense will function until the tendencies and preferences of each teammate are learned.

This process may just be of a long enough duration to derail the Lakers' chances to finish atop the Western Conference come the end of the regular season.

Pro: Maximizing Pau Gasol's Skills

One of the primary function of the Princeton offense is the consistency in which the power forward finds his hands on the ball. In this instance, that player is the ultra-skilled European forward Pau Gasol.

Consider this offense to be the perfect for the 11-year veteran.

Arguably the most valuable skill of the Spaniard's limitless arsenal is his unparalleled passing. Gasol has the uncanny ability to thread the needle, lead a slasher or pass out of the post to hit a scorer from anywhere on the floor.

In the Princeton offense, Gasol will be able to do just that as he hits a rotating Kobe Bryant or slashing Dwight Howard. In other words, Gasol will serve the same function as he would with the Spanish national team.

Regardless of where he ends up on the floor, the motion offense is the perfect place for Gasol's passing abilities to flourish.

Con: Complexity Without Direction

In case you're unaware of this unfortunate development, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash is currently suffering from a small fracture in his left fibula (via ESPN Los Angeles). As a result, Nash is projected to miss the next 7-10 games (via Ken Berger of CBS Sports).

That covers anywhere between three and five games. It also means that the Lakers will risk falling to 1-8 in his absence before they even begin to develop team chemistry.

Until Nash returns, consider this to be a system of complexity without direction.

Thus far, it has led to an average of 18.5 turnovers per game. Although intelligent and fundamentally sound, Steve Blake has also proved to be less than stellar in his role as the starting point guard.

Without Nash, this system becomes nothing more than an uphill battle that will lead to nothing short of damaging results. Even if the Princeton offense does display signs of progression, Nash's return will cause the team to start from scratch.

Pro: Kobe's on Fire

In case you haven't noticed, Kobe Bryant is currently playing as well as any player in the NBA. Bryant's shot selection has been nearly perfect, while the trust he has in his teammates has led to quality starts from both Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard.

Best of all, Kobe has dominated games without needing the ball in his hands at all times. Further proof that Bryant is far more than just a volume shooter.

Thus far, Bryant has posted averages of 26.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game. His slash line presently sits at .597.529/.947, which is more reflective on his progression from a mental standpoint than Kobe's physical abilities.

Although those numbers are certain to come down, there is absolutely no reason Bryant cannot finish this season shooting 50 percent from the floor. He trusts his teammates in 2012-13 more than he has in any other season.

Kobe will shoot when needed and not any time else.

Final Verdict

The 2012-13 NBA season is one of extraordinary expectations for the Los Angeles Lakers. With a core of Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard and Antawn Jamison, the Lake Show is a virtual lock for championship contention.

The question is can this team reach their maximum potential with the Princeton offense in place?

To put it simply: Yes.

The Lakers' early-season struggles are merely a product of their unfamiliarity with one another. Until the Lakers learn the tendencies and receptive preferences of one another, a motion offense will be one of inconsistent results.

Fortunately for the Lakers, this is a team made up of veterans. Unlike a young team such as the 2010-11 Miami Heat, the Lakers are made up of established players that are praised for their mental prowess.

In due time, the Los Angeles Lakers will develop into the offensive powerhouse they're expected to be. It's simply a matter of personnel development and a full recovery from previous ailments.

With patience, the Princeton offense will lead to nothing short of offensive brilliance.