With a combined 10 titles, 15 all-star selections and numerous all-NBA nominations, the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting five is without question the most lethal lineup in the NBA.
But when the second unit is called upon to supplant the starters, you might as well have your stress ball in-hand.
On Friday’s Christmas Day collapse, L.A.’s bench was the subject of scrutiny yet again— and for good reason. The Cavalier reserves outscored those of the Lakers, 31-17, including 19-2 in the first half. Truth be told, L.A.’s bench has been outscored 184-96 in five losses this season.
The Lakers’ bench, however, is not their problem. Instead, L.A.’s problem is the inability to find a viable medium between a near-flawless starting five and a subpar supporting cast.
For one, it is simply unrealistic to expect the bench mob to produce the same results as the current starters, especially when you replace two superstars (Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol), a lockdown defender (Ron Artest), a potential all-star (Andrew Bynum) and a gritty veteran ...
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Article written by Josh Hoffman