<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> Back in the comfortable confines of their practice gym after splitting two games deep in the heart of Texas, the Lakers sought Thursday to clean up their act as they prepared to face the Detroit Pistons tonight at Staples Center.</p> Seven games into the season and the Lakers are tied with the Charlotte Bobcats for 28th in turnovers, averaging a whopping 18 per game.</p> The San Antonio Spurs lead the league with an average of only 12.5. The Seattle SuperSonics are last at 19.7.</p> Mishandling the ball is the Lakers' most glaring weakness so far.</p> Well, that and their wild bouts of inconsistency as underscored in their up-and-down play during Wednesday's victory over the Rockets in Houston and their rapid descent after a credible first quarter in Tuesday's loss to the Spurs in San Antonio.</p> In fact, the two are entwined.</p> The Lakers' problem is unselfishness, according to guard Derek Fisher. They have been guilty of attempting to force the issue too frequently. Instead of making an extra pass, the Lakers should merely take the shot they have when they have it.</p> "Once we move the ball around and switch sides of the floor, when that ball comes back around, shoot the ball," Fisher said during an extended state-of-the-team report to reporters. "Don't try to force a pass in there that's not there. We have to be aggressive, take our shots and live with what happens."</p> Fisher also said Coach Phil Jackson has been critical of overpassing.</p> "I know I've gotten myself into trouble in the games," Fisher said. "When you have a shot, take a shot. That's what this offense is predicated on. I think a lot of our guys are looking to make an extra pass and the spacing is not there for it. You're on the floor for a reason. We need everyone (playing well) to be effective."</p> The schedule doesn't feature any breaks for the Lakers, who play another of the NBA's elite teams in the Pistons tonight.</p> "We don't have any throwaway games," Fisher said. "We don't have teams where we can look at them and say, `Well, tonight we can give 80 percent effort and still figure out a way to win.' This particular team needs to say, `Let's strap it up tight and go get it every night.' If we carry that attitude we can be good."</div></p> Source: LA Daily Breeze</p> They also need to communicate more on offense and yell out double teams.</p>
