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The Los Angeles Lakers made changes to their starting lineup four games ago, as Byron Scott made the decision to improve his defense. Since the change, the Lakers are starting to show some continuity, and their record since benching Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin is 3-1. It seems the move was a great idea.
The Lakers are riding a three-game win streak into Indiana and look to keep the mojo going. Their defense has vastly improved since Ed Davis and Ronnie Price joined the starting five. In the past four games, the Lakers have allowed 96 points per game, which is a major drop-off from the first 20 games when they were receiving 131 points a game.
Davis and Price are not defensive stoppers by any stretch, but their hustle is something the Lakers were lacking on the defensive end. Davis is averaging nearly two blocks a game and alters a few shots. Price, on the other hand, is constantly running the lanes and stealing the ball at least once a game.
The sudden defensive mindset of the team has benefited the likes of Boozer and Lin. Boozer has found the fountain of youth, as he’s looking like the double-double machine he was in the beginning of his career; since coming off the bench, he is averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds and making 56 percent of his shots. Lin is a different player backing up Price; he is attacking the basket with more confidence, while also distributing the rock to his teammates. His numbers are not spectacular (11 PTS and five AST), but he looks more assertive on the court.
The trio of Nick Young, Boozer and Lin has been feasting on the other teams’ second units, and the new bench mob has been keeping the Lakers in games. The lineup change seems to have given the squad new life, as the scoring is more balanced. Kobe Bryant’s lashing at his teammates seems to have lit a fire in the squad, and I’ve noticed that the team has gotten into a groove as the games have progressed during these last four games. The coach gives the bulk of the minutes to Bryant, Lin, Boozer, Young and Jordan Hill in the 4th quarter.
Maybe the Lakers have found the working formula. It’s a small sample size, but they have been getting positive results. The ball distribution and scoring have been more balanced, the defense has improved, and they are only 3.5 games behind the 8th spot. Let’s see if the Lakers can keep it up throughout the remainder of the season.
Pablo Jacobo is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @getempsports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.
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