Right now, we’re in the wake of the Lakers first four-point skid since the 06-07 NBA season. There a lot of things that have gone on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor, but there is one glaring aspect of the Lakers game that has fallen off significantly during the current four-game losing streak — three-point shooting — and more specifically, from the affectionately named “Killer Bs” and Derek Fisher.
We know the story of the early games of the season. Steve Blake hit the go-ahead three pointer on opening night; Shannon Brown’s stoke was suddenly vastly improved, connecting on three or more from behind the arch on five separate nights; Matt Barnes had the perfect night against Minnesota, including 5-5 from three-point range; and Derek Fisher, at one point, was leading the league in 3-point percentage shooting over 60 percent from long distance. Because of this new-found stroke, the Lakers’ offense was nothing short of “high octane”, leading the league in offensive efficiency.
Since the Utah game, things have changed dramatically. Just take a look at some numbers:
Matt Barnes before the losing streak:
3ptFG: 18-38
3pt%: 47.3
Steve Blake before the losing streak:
3ptFG: 23-42
3pt%: 54.8
Shannon Brown before the losing streak:
3ptFG: 28-54
3pt%: 51.9
Derek Fisher before the losing streak:
3ptFG: 17-31
3pt%: 54.8
All four combined before the losing streak
3ptFG: 86-165
3pt%: 52.12
Now compare those numbers with their respective numbers during the losing streak:
Matt Barnes during the losing streak:
3ptFG: 1-7
3pt%: 14.3
Steve Blake during the losing streak:
3ptFG: 5-17
3pt%: 29.4
Shannon Brown during the losing streak:
3ptFG: 2-11
3pt%: 18.2
Derek Fisher during the losing streak:
3ptFG: 1-7
3pt%: 14.3
All four combined during the losing streak
3ptFG: 9-42
3pt%: 21.4
A lot can be said about the Lakers losing streak. No, they haven’t been playing well defensively. No, Pau Gasol’s numbers have not been as good as the start he’s had this season. Yes, Kobe’s shooting percentage has been nearly 30 points below his career average. Yes, the starters have been forced to play too many minutes. And yes, Andrew Bynum will help. We can break down all of the Xs and Os we want or come up with various theories about the recent losses, but all of the Lakers problems during this four-game losing streak begin with guys not knocking down shots they were making before.
Of course, it was unrealistic to expect those guys to continue shooting that well for the full season. However, you just can’t predict four guys that hot becoming that cold at the same time. I’m not trying to downplay some obvious problems the Lakers have, but a lot of the reason for these losses have to do with misfortune. It’s not often that four guys lose their shooting touch at the same time on one team. Three of the four losses ended as one or two possession games, last night’s game was close throughout, only extended beyond a two possession game in the last 1:30 of the fourth quarter. Point is, if just one of those guys were able to shoot at their season clip, four-“game losing streak” doesn’t become a topic of discussion on Forum Blue and Gold.
There isn’t really a need to play with hypotheticals, though. The reality is, the Lakers have lost four games, but there really isn’t a need to panic yet. The Lakers have lost four game by an average of 5 points per contest, which suggests that, yes, there are problems, but not problems that cannot be overcome throughout the course of the season. And just like there was no reason to believe that Barnes, Blake, Brown and Fish would continue shooting so well, there is no reason to believe that the conjectural lid over the rim will stay for an extended period of time.
Chris J says
I’ve been away from home for a week — including taking in Sunday’s game from the upper deck at Staples Center — so forgive me if I’m raising an issue here that’s already been addressed in the past few days.
At what point does Ron Artest’s post-championship immunity from criticism and/or worry expire among the general fan base? Because in my eyes, he’s been a nearly complete non-factor so far this season, and it’s really become a point of concern.
Last year we could write it off to his needing time to adjust to a new team and a semi-new system (even though he had played some triangle while a Bull.) This season, what’s the excuse for the complete lack of offensive productivity?
I don’t expect him to be a 15- or 20-point guy like he once was. But seeing him sit on zero most of the night Sunday isn’t what the team needs, either.
It’s like he’s become unwilling to shoot, which is even more perplexing considering how well he shot the ball in the preseason.
Taylor says
Thinking more about the 3-point shooting, I could be wrong, but it seems like they are getting similar looks. While the offense hasn’t been run as crisply, I wouldn’t say the looks have been completely different “pre” and “during” the losing streak. I haven’t gone back to watch any of the games, but I do remember that a lot of the looks have been just as good as they were early in the year, correct me if I’m wrong?
Aaron says
It looks to be that the biggest differnece in the offense has been the domination of Kobe. But I agree with Phil on this one as I normally do. Kobe is a killer… if you just feed him the ball all the time he is going to attack. To start the year Kobe was just one of the guys… but as he started moving better and playing better everyone started to defer to him. But offense go up and down… the defense has been a problem since the first game of the year… and that won’t change until Andrew comes back.
Craig W. says
We just have to make sure the Killer Bees don’t become the Bumble Bees.
Sorry, I couldn’t avoid saying that.
sT says
Unfortunately or maybe fortunately I have not been into basketball the last week, due to the end of semester headaches and work that you have to deal with in classes ending. I almost fell out of my chair today when an English tutor saw my 2009 Laker NBA Championship cap on, and he asked me what I thought of the Lakers having lost 4 in a row, wow!
“Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down.” – Charles F. Kettering
DY says
Well, I think the Killer Bs got off to an amazing start because they were essentially “new” players on the Lakers and the scouting took about 15 games. Remember, Shannon’s off-season made him into a “new” player as well. I think teams are now figuring out how the Killer Bs operate within the Lakers system. This was to be expected.
However, if you couple this with the precipitous (ok, exaggeration here) drop off in the starters’ collective play, that is the recipe that cooks up a 4 game losing streak.
When we get Bynum back, I believe we’ll get a double dosage of production once again and teams will have to re-scout Bynum and Odom (on the bench).
If anything, what concerns me most is how our perimeter players age, as aging is crueler to backcourt players. I will always cherish Fisher but he will never get younger, nor will Kobe. I’m not putting on my panic hat just yet. Five game losing streak? Maybe it comes out then…
Zephid says
I think the hot start may have been the Lakers worst enemy, because the only reason the bench was so successful from the three point line is because they generated open shots by running the offense. How many times did we see Blake or Brown creating penetration on the wings and then kick out to an open man? Barnes was slashing off the ball and creating havoc on the inside (still is to some degree).
Now, our guys have stopped going to the basket, and have started thinking, “hey, I’m red hot, might as well jack up a three.” But what they don’t realize is that shooting a three off the dribble, or where the pass comes from leading to a three makes a huge difference. The B’s got used to getting kickouts from the inside due to penetration, catching the ball in rhythm, and firing away. Shooters are generally most effective this way, because they practice shooting the ball after receiving passes from the inside (from ball boys). But when they shoot off the dribble, or shoot from a sideways pass, their form and rhythm are both distorted, leading to a natural downtick in accuracy.
Craig W. says
When Pau and Kobe are ‘tired’ on both offense and defense we are going to have trouble as a team.
I don’t think this really goes much farther than that. It is true – as DY noted – that other teams scouting our new players took some time. However, when Pau just can’t make a shot either inside or out and his feet seem locked in cement on defense, while Kobe can’t hit his normal shots and is laying off his man continually, then our future sure ain’t bright.
How do we get them some rest? Also, Fish isn’t getting any faster and Phil insists on inserting him in at the end of games. Maybe it is time to start some adjustments to shift the load a bit.
Matthias says
Zephid’s pretty on point. We’ve all noticed how the O isn’t getting run all that well lately, and I think that more than any “cold streak” is a big part of the problem. Some of the shot’s are ridiculously wide open kick outs, but plenty of others are ones that 2 weeks ago the Killer B’s didn’t have to take.
chris h says
Craig, I said this is an earlier post today, pretty much got shut down, but Tom R liked it…
when Drew comes back, move Pau to the bench, let LO stay on as starting PF.
I think Pau would accept this, as it’s nothing more than an in-season temporary move, basically to give him some rest.
However, later on, I came to realize the same thing PJ said about Drew needing to start because it’s right after the warm ups, the same would apply to Pau who is basically nursing a tender (tired) hammy.
Igor Avidon says
Threes are part of offense, which comes and goes. Defense and rebounding is about effort and hustle. It’s hard to hustle when you’re tired. Our real issue is the injuries in the front court. The other ‘issues’ are dominoes that got knocked down as a result of that.
shannonlover12 says
While the “Killer Bees” three point shooting have been
quite off, what I saw yesterday as the Lakers played
the Rockets ( and for most of the 4 game losing
streak), is that the starters are playing slowly. They are
getting winded faster than I’ve ever seen them do. With the exception of Lamar Odom ( he was on fire
last night), all of the starters were huffing and puffing
down the court. When the Bench took over in the second quarter, we were beating the rockets soundly. But then Phil brought in Kobe and the other starters, we came within a 3 point margin of
being behind. What good does it do to have a great
bench if the starters come in and huff it away?Look,
I love Kobe , Fish, Artest and Gasol. But they are not
playing fast and accurate. They’re going slow mo.
HELP!
kaveh says
To DY re: scouting
I doubt scouting has much to do with anything in basketball. Otherwise fast pg’s like brooks would no longer give the lakers any problems. In basketball you can know what will happen and still not be able to stop it.
Zerb says
Anyone know if pau will be out due to his hamstring strain … If so then we are screwed
Taylor says
Though this has come out to be not endorsed by MJ or Nike…I like it. What a pitiful showing by the Cavs tonight.
http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/2010/11/video-maybe-you-should-rise-michael-jordan-and-lebron
Igor Avidon says
I really hoped the Cavs would at least put up a good fight.. so much for that.
Jeremy says
What an absolutely dreadful week of basketball. Thank Moses it’s almost over.
Phillip Barnett says
Morning links are up:
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2010/12/03/around-the-world-wide-web-30/