Not in the beginning, anyway.
While Los Angeles' starting lineup should have no trouble performing within a seven-seconds-or-less system once they master it, mastering it will become an issue.
D'Antoni's system is predicated on not just pushing the ball and putting the most points on the board, but getting as many possessions as possible. For a Lakers team that is averaging just 8.6 fast-break points per game—second worst in the NBA—that will be a blessing.
Once again, though, only when they master it.
You see, one of the pitfalls of Mike D'Antoni's offensive blueprint—other than getting back on defense quickly enough—is turnovers. With more possessions and an overwhelming amount of ball movement comes turnovers.
Throughout D'Antoni's coaching career, his teams—the ones he coached for an entire season—averaged 14.2 turnovers per game.
Terrible? No, but average at best.
That being said, the Lakers team he is taking over is already averaging 18 turnovers per game, the worst in the league. In fact, 16.7 percent of their possessions culminate in a turnover, the second-highest ratio in the league behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That is a problem.
If Los Angeles is giving up the ball that much now, what is going to happen when it receives more possessions, or in this case, more opportunities to commit turnovers?
Though the Princeton offense did dictate that the ball keep moving, it was not at the pace D'Antoni's offensive scheme will. In the seven-seconds system, you must react instinctively—you must react immediately.
Steve Nash is familiar with reading and reacting under such circumstances. Guys like Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and Metta World Peace, however—who combine for 9.6 cough-ups per game—aren't.
That's g...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
