L.A. Lakers: You Can't Blame Ron Artest, Matt Barnes for Defensive Struggles

I have recently taken heat for suggesting that Los Angeles Lakers forwards Ron Artest and Matt Barnes would form two thirds of the NBA's top perimeter trio, and after two consecutive losses, my opinion has not changed.

Losses to the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns have illustrated that the Lakers are far from being the dominant defensive force that some feel they can be, but none of those issues can directly be traced back to either Barnes or Artest.

Los Angeles allows its opponents to shoot 44 percent from the field and 37 percent from the three point line, but those numbers are more than likely a reflection of defensive issues that have dogged the Lakers in the past.

Some people choose to point to the Lakers' 4th quarter collapse against Denver as proof that Artest and Barnes are not worthy of being labeled an elite defensive duo, but in reality, both had played well until very late in the game.

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony did score 32 points in that game, but Artest and Barnes made him work for every single point, and Anthony was granted very few open looks at the basket.

Artest's strength made it difficult for Anthony to find room with his dribble, and his quick hands induced a few steals and visibly had Anthony frustrated.

The Lakers lost to Denver because they were unable to keep speedy point guard Ty Lawson from penetrating the lane, and in the 4th quarter, it seemed like the Nuggets couldn't miss a shot.

It's important to note that Denver's come-back from 11 points down was initiated by Lawson's penetration, but the Nuggets scored the majority of their points in the 4th quarter from well contested jump shots.

Artest's defense was good, but Anthony and the rest of his teammates' offense was better.

Against Phoenix, the Lakers' troubles once again stemmed from an inability to prevent dribble penetration by Steve Nash, but even that was over-shadowed by the 22 three pointers the Suns connected on, which is the second most in NBA history.

In other words, the Suns were extremely hot on that evening, and it's hard to point the finger at either Artest or Barnes when in reality the biggest culprits were poor defense at the point of attack from Derek Fisher and Steve Blake.

The Lakers have a history of being unable to prevent penetration from opposing point guards, but that problem is compounded by the absence of center Andrew Bynum, who acts as a deterrent at the rim.

Bynum's defense of the rim allows other Lakers to stay with their defensive assignment instead of helping in the post, and this leads to fewer open shots on the perimeter.

Proof of this dynamic is found in the fact that the Lakers led the NBA in three point field goal percentage allowed last season, and it just so happens that Bynum started the 2009 season healthy.

Still, Artest and Barnes are not the cause of the Lakers' defensive woes, and an argument can be made that Barnes is the most significant free agency signing in years in terms of defense.

Barnes has provided the Lakers with energy, intensity, rebounding, and a defensive edge. Even though he has yet to fully grasp the nuances of the Lakers' system, he is still one of their more versatile defenders.

In fact, further examination of the Lakers' numbers suggest that the defense may not be as bad as some make it out to be, and there are certain numbers that suggest a defensive turnaround might be easier than expected.

For one, the Lakers lead the NBA in scoring, but more importantly they are second in the league in point differential at +9.42 per game.

Los Angeles may allow 102.8 points per game, but they still outscore their opponents by almost 10 points per game.

The Lakers also lead the NBA in rebounding at 47 rebounds per game, and they grab an average of 4.2 more rebounds per game than their opponents.

High point and rebound differential are usually a pretty good indication of a superior defense, and considering that the Lakers are near the top of the league in both categories, the defense will likely improve.

Besides, the Lakers were one of the NBA's top defensive teams last year, and it's silly to think that they can not regain that status again.

The Lakers' offense just appears to be ahead of the defense at this point, in the same manner that the defense was ahead of the offense last season.

Los Angeles will eventually find a balance between their below average defensive shooting percentages and their above average point and rebound differentials, and poised in the middle of that shift willl likely be Barnes and Artest, the teeth of the Lakers' defense.