The Lakers have already had some serious problems with their new lineup since the NBA preseason. So far, the Lakers just don’t seem to have good chemistry. It may be because they have plenty of new faces, but that is no excuse, considering the number of talented players on the team.
One aspect that seems very underwhelming is their defense. This season, the Lakers have really struggled with their transition defense, and as a result, the opposing team will get open looks from 3 and make it.
Another problem has been that the Lakers’ offense has been sloppy and weak. Many of the players don’t connect well with each other on the court, and that creates turnovers. It’s clear that Head Coach Frank Vogel just hasn’t quite found a rotation yet that seems to click well. One example being, Rondo and Westbrook on the court at the same time. Those players just don’t fit well together because it’s clear they operate the offense differently and generally have different play styles.
Another problem is the free-throw shooting. Several of the Lakers’ players have a free-throw shooting percentage of 60 percent or worse. This leads to lower scores than they need to beat opponents, like the Suns and Warriors.
Still, the Lakers’ season shouldn’t be considered over. For one, players Kendrick Nunn, Trevor Ariza, and Talen Horton Tucker, easily some of the Lakers’ best three-point shooters, have all been out injured. The hope is that when they return, they can hopefully breathe more life into the Lakers’ games with their three pointers.
Another point to consider is Russell Westbrook’s entry into the Lakers. When he first joined the Wizards in 2020, the team had a terrible record. They didn’t win a game until their 7th that season. But as the season progressed, the Wizards’ players started to realize how they could connect better with Westbrook when he was on the court. They completely flipped the switch after the All-Star break and forged their way into the playoffs despite a terrible start to the season.
In any case, although the Lakers’ chance of advancing to the Playoffs this year looks unlikely, as the season continues and they learn to connect with each other, they could turn into the best team in the league. They may just need time.
