How do the Los Angeles Lakers almost lose to the lowly Hornets? Wasn't this team 13-38 coming into the game on March 31? Weren't the Lakers playing at home, where they were 20-5 prior to this contest? Still, it took a late rally in the fourth quarter for the Lakers to edge the Hornets 88-85. This is not a good time for the Lakers to be struggling with identity.
Bad shooting
Fans might celebrate the clutch shot of Kobe Bryant at the end of the game, but it was probably Kobe who put the team in a position to almost lose this game. Bryant was an absolutely dreadful 3-21 from the field, including 1-8 from behind the arc. I know the shooter's mentality is that they are going to keep shooting until they start hitting, but sometimes you have to admit that your shot is off that night. This is where Kobe's pride gets the best of him, and where he becomes a liability. If your shooter is off, try something else, such as pounding it into your big man. Andrew Bynum is sometimes a better offensive option than Kobe.
What is this team?
The addition of Ramon Sessions was very exciting when it happened, but it also created a different look for this Lakers team. Now, it appears that Los Angeles is struggling a bit with identity. Are they a team that should routinely pound it inside? Are they a run-and-gun team with Ramon leading the break? Are they an inside-out jump-shooting team? The answer may be "yes" to all of those, but it means that the Lakers are struggling to find a flow from game to game. A team can certainly have different looks, but it is a bit late to be experimenting.
Minefield ahead
The Lakers have 14 games remaining, and they are split evenly between home and road contests. There are a few games that shouldn't be a major problem, but they also have to face the Clippers, Houston, Denver, Dallas and Oklahoma City. In addition, the Lakers will have two games against San Antonio. If Kobe is going to figure out his shot and the Lakers are going to establish their identity, they had better do it quick.
Time is running out on this season.
Sources:
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320331013
The author grew up in Seattle and now lives in Los Angeles, where he enjoys the rivalry between the Lakers and the Clippers, and all the drama that goes with being in the Southland. You can follow him on Twitter @tpheifer.
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