The Lakers' Soft Under-Belly???

[Solid D]

Regardless of the playing status of Andrew Bynum, I'd like to bring up a statistical category that perplexes me, somewhat.

The Los Angeles Lakers currently have the most potent offense in the NBA, however, they have a curiously poor ranking in an oft overlooked category of Opp Assists Per Game. The Lakers are 28th in the NBA allowing 23.15 APG.

Naturally, an up-tempo team that scores 108 PPG is going to allow more points and more assists than teams that play at a slower pace. However, you would think a team that attempts to play strong defense, like LA does, would have a lower Opp. APG number.

Leaders in this category are Orlando (18.06), Boston (18.20), Cleveland (18.41, and San Antonio (18.54). The Lakers are certainly outscoring their opponents, so a statistically poor ranking here won't matter if they show up offensively. This high team average may indicate teams that do a good job of passing, reversing the ball and finding the open man can do well versus the Lakers. Teams with highly efficient execution on offense such as Utah (at full strength), Boston and San Antonio should have some success versus the Lakers....particularly teams that match offensive execution with great defense.

I'm not saying this is an area of huge concern, but it does bear watching....don't you think?

[Manufan909]

Good catch. So how long did you have to look to find their weakness?

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Good catch. So how long did you have to look to find their weakness?

I found it earlier this season but didn't think much of it. Now that I think about it a little more, it is a tell about their weaknesses and is extremely important.

[timvp]

Good post.

Yeah, I've noticed that the Lakers haven't been very good so far this season at rotating on the perimeter -- especially once their perimeter defense has collapsed due to penetration. If teams penetrate, kick and move the ball, they get open shots against the Lakers.

And that penetration is coming more often than last year against the Lakers because Fisher seems to have either lost a half-step or isn't going full bore in the regular season. They have a lot of long players and they can collapse very well but that same height and length doesn't move that well after the secondary pass has been made. There's still enough time for the Lakers to clean that up but so far it appears that creating shots against LA is definitely possible this season.

That said, the Lakers' offense is so good and their defense has enough strong points to make them the favorites in the West.

[Hollinger]

Now that's my kind of post! I'll be keeping a close eye on their Opp APG now that Bynum won't be there to protect the paint.

[Rogue]

Now that's my kind of post! I'll be keeping a close eye on their Opp APG now that Bynum won't be there to protect the paint.

WOW, standing ovation.