2011 NBA Playoffs: Why the L.A. Lakers Have Struggled
The Lakers are probably the most frustrating team to watch in the playoffs. They have the talent, both in their personnel and with their coaching staff, yet the team has consistent no-show performances. That's the only thing they've been consistent at all season.
The Lakers have looked old at times, which isn't surprising considering the miles on Kobe Bryant and several other key players. This core (meaning Kobe, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher) have played heavy minutes for three straight seasons.
The core players have been to the finals three straight times. Both Kobe and Pau have participated for their national teams in the Olympics (though they didn't participate in the world championship last summer), and if you pair that with the Lakers lackadaisical attention span, you'll have ugly losses like LA has demonstrated throughout the season (Cleveland being the most embarrassing loss).
But the playoffs are considered by many as a second season, and Lakers fans hope that, with the rise of intensity, LA will start to play championship-level basketball.
After Game 1 against this feisty Hornets team, the Lakers discovered that this bout will not be one-sided. On every possession in Game 1, the Hornets exhibited both passion and intensity, which surprised the Lakers.
They expected a team, without David West by the way, to play dead and New Orleans answered with a gritty win.
In a physical Game 2, the Lakers tied the series at 1-1, but that was not a dominating performance by the Lakers. With the team's lackadaisical showing in Game 1, fans and media alike expected the Lakers to come out with a commanding win, but that didn't happen.
LA played with energy and passion, but the Hornets matched that early on. In the end, foul trouble and turnovers (despite giving up only three in Game 1) did them in.
The Lakers played well, especially on the defensive end (where they were very physical), but struggled on the offensive end.
There was one point in the game when I felt the score was 51-46 for almost five minutes, and that is a bit concerning for a Lakers team that should dominate on the offensive end against a smaller Hornets team.
Defensively, the Lakers should be fine (if they play smart on that end). They have the talent, especially with the emergence of Bynum, to lock up opponents on a nightly basis.
Fans and media believe the Lakers are just bored (and they are), but I believe they have some serious issues they need to clean up if they intend to go far in the playoffs.
Spaniard Struggles
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Pau Gasol is a great big man, and he has been the perfect Robin to Kobe's Batman, but at times the Spaniard has played like a third option.
Kobe Bryant, at this point in his career, cannot solely carry the Lakers to every playoff win and will need his Robin at some point to show up in this series.
Gasol has not played well in the low post this season compared to his previous seasons. He's relied a lot on that 16-to-17-foot jump-shot, which has become extremely consistent, but the Spaniard has fallen in love with that shot.
Gasol isn't a very physical player, but he's skilled in the post, and I haven't seen that consistently throughout the season. Pau dominated early on in the season, when he had the post to himself (with Odom playing out on the perimeter), but maybe with the return of Bynum, it has affected his game on that end.
Bynum's return helps the Lakers with their depth issues (having Odom return to the bench) and with their defense, but it somewhat disrupts Gasol. With Bynum on the floor, Pau has to play in the high post.
High-post players tend to be face-up guys (which Gasol has done a lot this season) rather than playing them with their back to the basket, which might explain why Gasol has attempted more 16-to-17 footers this season.
Gasol had another disappointing performance in Game 2, but at some point Pau will dominate. He's too good of a player not to dominate a smallish Hornets front line.
Bench Unit (Specifically the Killer Bees)
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The Lakers have had a porous bench for two straight seasons. When the Lakers got rid of Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar and replaced them with Matt Barnes and Steve Blake, fans expected not to cringe when the second unit came out to give the starters a breather.
While the Lakers bench showed up in Game 2, they've had too many bad performances that have killed LA this year.
Steve Blake has not performed well in his first season as a Laker, especially on the offensive end, but a positive is that he has been solid on the defensive end. He isn't very strong or quick, but Blake is pretty pesky and the Lakers missed his presence on that end in Game 1 (where Chris Paul turned into somewhat of a demon).
The Lakers signed him to a four-year contract primarily for his three-point shooting and at one point in the playoffs (whether it be against New Orleans or another playoff foe) he'll have a great game (too good of a shooter).
Shannon Brown has looked horrible since that great start in the beginning of the season. He was making a lot of contested shots and fans bought into the hype that he has finally made that next big step.
The reality is that Shannon Brown, at this point in his career, is an athletic player who has shown decent touch from outside the arc. He has the quickness and strength to reach the hole, but Shannon is a horrible finisher.
Matt Barnes has struggled a bit, but at least he brings intensity and hustle to every possession when on the floor. At times he doesn't play smart, but at least fans know what they're getting from Matt Barnes every game.
The pace is much faster with that second unit when he's out on the floor, and if his outside shot returns, his production should increase.
Lamar Odom has played fantastic all season long and has been the most consistent player for the Lakers. Their bench unit has to step up when LA heads to the Big Easy.
Shooting Touch
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The Lakers aren't a great three-point shooting team, but when they perform well from behind the arc, LA usually has a dominating performance. Their advantage lies in the post, but when they're hitting their perimeter shots, this Laker team becomes unbeatable.
The Lakers don't have any three-point specialists. With their inconsistencies from behind the arc, it can be frustrating for Gasol, Bynum and Kobe (when he decides to play in the high/low post).
If they had a consistent three-point shooter (a role Blake was supposed to fill), this team would have a lot more space to operate in the post. At times, the Lakers spacing has been off and it throws the offense out of rhythm.
Unless Steve Blake becomes Kyle Korver (though he would lose all sense of defensive awareness if that occurred), the Lakers have to find a way to knock down their perimeter shots.
They're a much more dangerous team when they have balance out on the perimeter (and that doesn't mean jacking up perimeter shots) and in the post.
