Breaking Down the Los Angeles Lakers’ Point Guard Position

Preseason discussion about a lack of leadership at the point guard position is nothing new for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Truth be told, they haven’t had a bona fide star (Magic Johnson) in that role since, well, since their new coach was playing for the team more than 20 years ago.

Byron Scott was equally adept playing the point or shooting guard for L.A. and was instrumental in guiding those Showtime teams to three NBA Championships (1985, ’87, ’88) alongside Johnson.

As a coach, he’s tutored the likes of Jason Kidd, Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving—New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers, respectively.

Scott most certainly will play a role and have a positive effect on whoever mans the PG spot for L.A. this season. As of today, there are not many options.

Barring any more free-agent signings, the Lakers will open training camp with three legitimate point guards: 40-year-old Steve Nash, rookie Jordan Clarkson and recently acquired Jeremy Lin.

The Lakers started last season with some depth at point guard, only to see it vanish in a hurry. The injury bug hit everyone and everywhere last year, including former Lakers Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar.

Nash was bothered most of the season by nerve-related injuries and only suited up for 15 games.

What those injuries did was open a door for Kendall Marshall, the 6’4” second-year guard from North Carolina. Signed in mid-December from the NBA D-League, Marshall appeared in 54 games, averaging almost nine assists and eight points per 29 minutes for the Lakers.

Marshall was a breath of fresh air in an otherwise forgettable 27-55 campaign, the worst in Lakers history.  And, although Marshall fell just short of the requisite 58 games needed to qualify for the category, his assist numbers of 8.8 per game were second only to Chris Paul for the entire league.
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers