Perceptions are hard to change, after all.
In the 2012-13 campaign, however, Metta will need to be more than just a defensive ace for the Los Angeles Lakers to be as good as they can be. He'll need to find his niche on offense and find a way to be effective on that side of the ball.
How he fits in offensively actually isn't that complicated.
In fact, the blueprint is right there in front of us, as all he'll need to do is play to his strengths and take advantage of the opportunities afforded to him due to the quality of his teammates.
In the 2012-13 season, Metta will be surrounded by more offensive talent than at any other point in his career. Playing next to players the quality of Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard will mean that Metta is sure to be the man left open when defenses shift and rotate to his more feared teammates. When this occurs, it will be up to Metta to set his feet and shoot the ball with confidence.
Simply spotting up can not be the only way Metta contributes on offense, though.
He is too talented a player to walk around the arc and play a role more suited to Kyle Korver. He will need to flash the other aspects of his game and take advantage of the space afforded to him in different ways.
One way he can do this is by attacking off the dribble.
Once Metta shows he is willing to take jumpers, the threat of him standing alone on the perimeter will force defenders to close out on him. No NBA coach wants his team surrendering wide open jumpers on a consistent basis (especially from a career 34-percent shooter from behind the a...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
