An idea that was met with the thunder of a thousand face-palms and scoffs from sports fan all over the Internet, generally because the Princeton offense—which was perfected by Pete Carril at, you guessed it, Princeton University—may not be the cure-all Bryant believes it to be for the Lakers this season.
Red flags immediately pop up as to what role newly acquired point guard Steve Nash would play in the system; whether LA's big men, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, could adapt well, if at all; and how exactly the Los Angeles Lakers would implement an offensive scheme that requires both discipline and teamwork.
The short answer: It will take patience.
Two-time MVP Nash is not in a Lakers uniform this season to sell tickets. Well, he is, but Nash is also in L.A. because the team needs his hustle and intelligence. Working out of the Princeton offense would certainly be a change of pace for the high-octane Nash, who is entering his 17th professional NBA season, but the transition would not be impossible—it may even prove beneficial.
Nash is the personification of constant motion, so it is hard to think of a point guard better-suited to feed the Princeton offense's appetite for constant movement, screens and cuts. Working out of the half court will keep the aging Nash fresh. The Lakers do not need the All-Star to run defenses out of the building, but rather to wear them down possession after grueling possession.
Speaking of possessions, Gasol is sure to benefit from the Princeton offense considering that the power forward excels at making smart passes and tough shots from the high post. After finishing the 2012 season with a career-low of 17.4 points per game, Gasol must be itching more than most to get the ball rolling on a new offensive scheme that better utilizes the Spanish giant's...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
