As a Lakers fan, I’m not panicking about this recent 4 game losing streak, but it has exposed a weakness due to injuries. Pau Gasol has not played up to par in the past weeks due to fatigue. The same shots he was making with ease have come up short and he’s not contesting layups by opposing point guards.
The real reason behind the poor play: Andrew Bynum and Theo Ratiff. Andrew is not as skilled as Pau offensively, but he is a big body and a shot blocker. Pau is not a natural center, but one of the best power forwards in the game. When Pau is pushed to the middle, his offense suffers. Ratliff hasn’t played well before getting injured, but he was brought in solely to be a defensive presence and grab rebounds. Phil doesn’t feel comfortable enough playing Caracter at the five spot regularly and unfortunately the Lakers would be penalized $35,000 a week in luxury taxes if they picked up another big man temporarily.
Solution? The Lakers know its a marathon, not a sprint. Are they concerned? Probably not. Should they be? Yes, until Bynum and Ratliff come back. It’s a trickle down effect that’s hurting the Lakers and until both players return, the blame falls on Pau by default. Sure, it doesn’t help that speedy point guards blast past Derek Fisher, but their defensive strategy is to push to help anyways. Personally, I would change the strategy, but I don’t have 11 rings to back me up.
Health is the only factor to the Lakers 3-peat chances. If they stay healthy and hungry, no one will be able to dethrone them.
Lakers Need For A Big Man A Big Issue Moving Forward
As a Lakers fan, I’m not panicking about this recent 4 game losing streak, but it has exposed a weakness due to injuries. Pau Gasol has not played up to par in the past weeks due to fatigue. The same shots he was making with ease have come up short and he’s not contesting layups by opposing point guards.
The real reason behind the poor play: Andrew Bynum and Theo Ratiff. Andrew is not as skilled as Pau offensively, but he is a big body and a shot blocker. Pau is not a natural center, but one of the best power forwards in the game. When Pau is pushed to the middle, his offense suffers. Ratliff hasn’t played well before getting injured, but he was brought in solely to be a defensive presence and grab rebounds. Phil doesn’t feel comfortable enough playing Caracter at the five spot regularly and unfortunately the Lakers would be penalized $35,000 a week in luxury taxes if they picked up another big man temporarily.
Solution? The Lakers know its a marathon, not a sprint. Are they concerned? Probably not. Should they be? Yes, until Bynum and Ratliff come back. It’s a trickle down effect that’s hurting the Lakers and until both players return, the blame falls on Pau by default. Sure, it doesn’t help that speedy point guards blast past Derek Fisher, but their defensive strategy is to push to help anyways. Personally, I would change the strategy, but I don’t have 11 rings to back me up.
Health is the only factor to the Lakers 3-peat chances. If they stay healthy and hungry, no one will be able to dethrone them.
Subscribe to Slam Dunk Central via RSS Feed or E-mail and receive daily news updates from us!