Here's something I've dug up by looking at the Lakers' schedule this morning. Everyone knows about the "above 100" streak we had, where we were notorious for losing games where our opponents scored over 100 points. Well, this hints that our defense is just terrible, correct? Now, take a look at this interesting stat: <font color="Purple">Lakers holding teams to under 100 pts: 16-2</font> So what does this say for LA? Well, it should be safe to assume that we have the offensive power to stick with any team we play against...but our defense is our ultimate handicap. Take these games, for example: Nov. 5th - San Antonio Spurs (105-96 LOSS) We won the 3rd and 4th quarters in this game...pulled within 7 to start the 4th quarter, and came close to taking the lead a few times. This is against a championship-caliber team. Nov. 19th - Phoenix Suns (107-102 LOSS) At the end of the first, Lakers were up 27-15. If it wasn't for the terrible second quarter we had, this game would've been ours against, right now, the best team in the league. Nov. 26th - Sacramento Kings (109-106 LOSS) Last second attempt missed by Kobe. This game was in the bag...but what a close game this was, with 16 lead changes and 15 ties total. Dec. 8th - Phoenix Suns (113-110 LOSS) Q-Rich's buzzer beater dropped, and we lost against the Suns again. Pretty close game...and a shoot-out as well, where both teams nearly scored 40 in the second quarter alone. Dec. 25th - Miami Heat (104-102 OT LOSS) An overtime game against arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference...who could be looking at an NBA Finals appearance. The Lakers are really hanging in there against these top teams in the league, but their defense fails them late in the game, and leads to a loss in the books. Each of these losses resulted in the team scoring over 100 points as well...and we followed them over the 100-point mark in every game mentioned above except the Spurs game. Bad offense? Couldn't be. Bad defense? That's the problem. The Lakers ran the triangle last night against the Rockets. It worked out wonderfully...but notice in the 3rd and 4th quarters, the Rockets were hot. They were shooting the lights out, and they cut down the 24-point lead we had like a family Christmas tree. Why? Lack of defense.
Brandon, I Know what the Lakers are going through...This has been the Kings downfall...Lack of D.The Defense that the Lakers have right now isn't that bad,but it's not that great either. The Lakers can play well against the top teams of the NBA,but like you have said,it's the defense that is their own doing.The Kings have the same problem,but i will admit this season the Kings D has improved somewhat.still not enough to make me happy,but at least it's a work in progress. I do believe that the Lakers will improve their Defense soon.it's just a matter of time.so i will suggest to you Laker fans is keep the faith,and isn't true whenever people think the Lakers are down and out...they always find a way to get back in??...It'll work out in the end...trust me!
Same thing happens to the Raptors, except if we're at home we beat the top teams, but on the road the Raptors have lost many close games because of lack of defense all around, not just in any position, and our team isn't even that great. It's like a league wide thing that if you keep you opponents under 100, you normally win, unless you're a team that scores 109 PPG, which obviously makes sense, but a lot of teams don't do it. I don't know man....
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Same thing happens to the Raptors, except if we're at home we beat the top teams, but on the road the Raptors have lost many close games because of lack of defense all around, not just in any position, and our team isn't even that great. It's like a league wide thing that if you keep you opponents under 100, you normally win, unless you're a team that scores 109 PPG, which obviously makes sense, but a lot of teams don't do it. I don't know man....</div> Well, take the Pistons for example, then. Offensively, that team is a train wreck right now...especially when you're at the point where your leading scorer drops the team high in a game with 0-10 shooting. They aren't looking impressive...their defense is still there, but they are in a HUGE offensive slump.
Well said Real. I think your right on the money in regards to the defense. The Lakers have an incredible team. If they could step it up defensively, the Laker unit would be hard to beat.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting trenchteam:</div><div class="quote_post">Well said Real. I think your right on the money in regards to the defense. The Lakers have an incredible team. If they could step it up defensively, the Laker unit would be hard to beat.</div> And they can do this..It's just a matter of getting a trade for a great defensive player,or maybe someone really good off the waivers who can play great defense...From a Kings fan's perspective the Lakers have a decent team.all they need is a little tweak,and that's all...It will happen,it's just a matter of time.
^and that guy can really score too, an improvement over Caron Butler on both ends of the floor, bring him here!
Have you thought about Jim Jackson? He's a good defensive player, and plays well with superstars. He's also a scoring threat as well, when it's required. Though I don't know how you'd get him from the Hornets.
do u have any stats on away games..because I'm guessing kobe plays worse when he's in away games ..just like Yao but not as bad as yao but still his percentage dwindles in away games possibly due to the fact that kobe gets booed every time he touches the ball. It's definitely hard to play in this environment. Kobe's performance has a huge deal in laker's performance..so defense has something to do with it but without the team shooting over 50% and defending I dont think lakers will ever win with a comfortable lead.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">do u have any stats on away games..because I'm guessing kobe plays worse when he's in away games ..just like Yao but not as bad as yao but still his percentage dwindles in away games possibly due to the fact that kobe gets booed every time he touches the ball. It's definitely hard to play in this environment. Kobe's performance has a huge deal in laker's performance..so defense has something to do with it but without the team shooting over 50% and defending I dont think lakers will ever win with a comfortable lead.</div> Kobe Home: 28ppg, 41% FG Road: 29ppg, 40% FG I don't think that's it. As far as the Laker defense, I think it's due to the lack of shot blocking on the roster. Mihm only stays on the floor a little more than half of the game, meaning during the other half, the Lakers have no shotblocking whatsoever. Unfortunately, I don't see the lakers addressing this problem this year
Nice said, And you know Why..cus CHUCKY CANT PLAY D! i seriously was shocked when LA traded FISH..u all know how great of a defender he is. Get's the team go and get's the offensive calls. Odom can't play D and as Phil Said in his book indirectly(which i agree) Kobe is their best defender, but there lies the problem we can't have kobe be a beast on defense and make it on the offense. We need team defense, and that is OUR probleme.. The rotations are way too slow. If you payed attention to the Houston game. The 3point shooters were constantly open. And although we had a big lead we let them get back in because we couldn't stop them. If it wasn't for cookie i guess we would have had another L. We need to stop exxagurating our ability of shooting 3pointers and start playing smart bball. In the early season it was the problem of the offense starting too slow,right now the shots get off much too quick. The offense makes the defense. Instead the other way around. There lies the problem like u said. Work from the defense towards the offense. If u get a steal , u have an opportunity to score 2 in a row. Use ur time use the upportunity, what we do is jack up shots from the corner all day long. And dont get the ball down-low to Chris. He's being Severly overlooked! Rudy should learn how to sub, and he got that guard i don't remember his name signed up..why don't he use him??? Hello Luke? Why doesn't he get any PT?like we saw last year phil trusted him and in the Playoffs Luke was a big help. He could be one also on defense, since he is a high intensity player! Ps, Maybe we do need rodman
Fisher wasn't traded, Warriors gave him a ridiculous contract that he probably wasn't going to see anywhere else, so he signed. Sorry Warrior fans, but that was just a horrible signing.
yeah well la could have done more to keep him instead of gettin Divac who probably wont even play anymore (he played like a few minutes in 30 games orso i dont know exact figure) but u get my point
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobe0826:</div><div class="quote_post">yeah well la could have done more to keep him instead of gettin Divac who probably wont even play anymore (he played like a few minutes in 30 games orso i dont know exact figure) but u get my point</div> I think the bigger mistake by Mitch Cupcake was not fighting harder to keep Marcus Banks in the Payton trade, and instead settling on Jumaine Jones. I like the way Jumaine has been playing for the Lakers, but the Lakers could really use a young, defensive minded PG in Banks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting trenchteam:</div><div class="quote_post">Artest!</div> Are you serious? Hell no. Lets just get our guys we have right now to play better defense, which I believe is exactly what Rudy T. is trying to do right now.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the bigger mistake by Mitch Cupcake was not fighting harder to keep Marcus Banks in the Payton trade, and instead settling on Jumaine Jones. I like the way Jumaine has been playing for the Lakers, but the Lakers could really use a young, defensive minded PG in Banks.</div> I actually really like Jumaine. Hes been are best becnh player he hustles, makes those little plays that makes a big difference. He gets steals rebounds and shoots pretty well. I like him good pickup. Better than Chuck might I add.
