The Lakers are on the verge of clinching a playoff berth, despite all that happened this season. Mike Brown was fired. Phil Jackson was expected to be named coach. Mike D’Antoni was hired. Dwight Howard was acquired but had offseason back surgery. Steve Nash missed the first month of the season, and now Kobe Bryant is injured during a crucial stretch run.
Regardless, how could any team feel comfortable facing the Lakers in Round 1 of the playoffs? First of all, there is Kobe Bryant, who can single-handedly win a game or two. Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and a vastly improved Earl Clark. Oh yeah, let’s not forget Dwight Howard, the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the year.
For all that has gone awry, is it wrong to think that the Lakers are set up for playoff success instead of the anticipated regular-season success?
First, the Lakers are one of the most efficient and effective offensive teams in the league. According to hoopdata, the Lakers are eighth in offensive efficiency, sixth in points per game and sixth in true-shooting percentage. Although Mike D’Antoni’s system calls for pushing the pace in order to increase the amount of possessions in a given game, the Lakers are talented enough to score in a slow, half-court game.
Kobe Bryant is as lethal a one-on-one player in the history of the NBA. Dwight Howard is able to command double-teams in the paint and force defenses to collapse. Steve Nash is the ultimate maestro, setting up teammates for easy looks. Finally, once Pau Gasol is healthy, he provides another matchup problem for teams due to his passing and overall skill for a big.
The Lakers are fully capable of playing at any pace, but the slower the game becomes and the fewer possessions there are, the Lakers’ talent on both ends of the ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
