With over a quarter of the season over, the Lakers are now 9-13. Heres the numbers.
In the last 22 games there was 5 things consistent with each win and loss. Everything else seems to have just as many wins and losses no matter if the outcomes were high or low each game. For instance we have won just as well when Dwight or Gasol’s rebounds and scores are high as we have with them having a slow day and just as many wins when we have less turnovers then our opponent and vice versa. The other 5 stats I found though go pretty much hand and hand with every win and loss and if Lakers achieve at least 4 of the desired 5 categories the game is won every time. The stats break down as follows:
-Lakers Bench needs to score at least 22 points
-Kobe needs to score no more than 27 points
-Lakers need to dish out at least 22 assists
-MWP needs to drain a minimum of 3 three-pointers
-Lakers need to attempt at least 77 field goals
Here is the last 22 games charted with each category:

And here are those stats broken down with their own win-loss records:

What this shows is obvious, Lakers defense is so beyond bad that in order for them to win they have to be a complete offensive juggernaut. So much so that our current wins average us winning by 17.2 points. The only way Lakers have won is when Kobe doesn’t take the game into his own hands and instead becomes a facilitator, keeping the ball moving and getting our bench (Hill, Jamison, Meeks) hot as well as Metta giving a good 3 performance. That is, to make up for Lakers HORRIBLE defense.
Only 2 options for success: 1. Lakers learn how to play defense together. Which seems like such an odd statement being that there are 4 defensive player of the year awards between Howard and MWP, and Kobe making the All Defensive 1st team so many times. But some how the grasp of defense with this team seems all but thrown out the window at this point. Especially with an offensive only minded coach. And 2. Nash’s return helps their offensive dominance stay consistent with his play making, sharp shooting and hopefully very increased amounts of assists. If Nash comes back as the Nash we know the Lakers will be able to out shoot the majority of the league without practically much defense and bring their wins back up, but here comes the next problem. Lets say their offensive machine is at its height every night when Nash comes back, there are still 6 teams that are averaging more points a game then the Lakers, and 4 of them are in the western conference. Thunder, Spurs, Jazz and Rockets. Those 4 teams will have no problem matching us point for point when Lakers are killing it offensively and the Lakers lack of defense will kill their hopes again.
















