How The Lakers are Winning and Load Managing in the Process
For LeBron James and Anthony Davis, less has proven to be more thanks to the team's new -- and improved -- roster.
Welcome to issue #27 of Throwdowns.
No long-winded introductions this week, but I do want to mention that I have set up a Venmo account if any of you wanted to make a donation. It is of course not necessary, but I wanted to create this option after some have asked.
To be clear, Throwdowns will continue to be free going forward but any support is extremely helpful in keeping this venture going. Even if it’s just spreading the word or passing an issue along to a friend. It’s greatly appreciated.
Now on to this one, which is about the underrated upside of putting your feet up.
“I wish I was Justin Timberlake in that movie where I could bank some time.”
The movie LeBron James referenced in his postgame scrum following the Lakers’ 112-95 win over the Pelicans, was 2011’s “In Time.” A Timberlake sci-fi-vehicle which currently holds a 36% Rotten Tomatoes score, and also, oddly encapsulates what Los Angeles has done in their first 14 games — stop time. Or at least, attempt to save it.
Following an offseason that saw the team shake up their roster, the reigning champions have kicked off their campaign by once again finding themselves on top of the Western Conference, and winners of their last five games with impressive ease.
In their last four contests specifically, the team’s average margin of victory has been a bonkers 20.1 points. An encouraging trend for any squad, but especially on the heels of the shortest turnaround in league history, and for one of the two clubs who had the lengthiest stays in the bubble.
While it is still too early to determine if the new pieces they added will ultimately pay off, the early returns from the infusion of both talent and youth to the equation has been staggeringly positive.
Particularly when it comes to what is has done for the duo of James and Anthony Davis. And more importantly, what it could mean for them down the road in terms of banking time.
Mark J. Rebilas - USA TODAY Sports | Throwdowns Illustration
Between the Lakers’ dominant play on both ends (3rd in offRTG|1st in defRTG) and inclusion of the likes of: Dennis Schröder, Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol, the star tandem has been afforded the chance to hit snooze on the early stretch of the season while also continue to play and build rapport with their new teammates.
As their aforementioned recent margin of victory indicates, the team’s ability to blow out their opposition consistently has been the chief reason for helping James and Davis rest without missing games.
According to Cleaning the Glass, when filtering out aspects like garbage time (there has been a lot of it this year) the Lakers currently lead the league in point differential (+12.1). This is a stark improvement from last season where the team was 5th (+5.6).
“That allows us to put teams away,” Davis said regarding the team's early two-way success. “Being able to sit in the fourth quarter, where we can save our legs and let our guys who usually don't, play. We're able to save our bodies for later on in the season when we need them."
The team’s ability to secure wins prior to the final frame has begun becoming so common that the fanbase has even started their own “slides/flip-flop/chancla watch.”
For the most notable footwear offenders — James and Davis — the pair have whittled off over 3 minutes combined from their per fourth quarter averages this season compared to last.
Like Davis alluded to, the obvious benefits from playing less not only decreases the chances of potential injury while simultaneously preserving the body for playoff intensity, but also allows for a more gradual ramp-up time given the short break.
With that said, the bolstered roster around he and James has not only allowed them to take nights off sooner, but also, actually load manage in-game.
As the chart above illustrates, both James and Davis have seen noticeable dips across the board in terms of their on-ball responsibilities and minutes (career low for James, second lowest for Davis) this year.
Between the additional scoring one-two punch of Schröder and Harrell, as well as Gasol’s ability to be an offensive hub, there are possessions on offense where James and Davis simply are finishers or do not even have to be involved altogether.
Take this sequence for example. The half-court offense is run through the team’s new starting point guard and center, and it is James — who has long been the trigger man in these instances — that becomes the beneficiary.
Although his boxscore numbers wouldn’t reflect it, James’ on-ball role and offensive load in particular have enjoyed a much needed vacation.
He is averaging 11 fewer touches per game, while also down 1.2 seconds once it’s in his hands compared to last season. His pick and roll possessions are also down, as are his isolation chances.
And like the example above demonstrated, James’ own scoring chances have benefitted from having others create for him as his makes are being assisted upon 34% of the time vs. 29% last season.
It has been new teammates, Schröder and Gasol in fact, who have been the two players who have handed out the most helpers to him via the guard’s dribble penetration and big’s stellar passing out of the post.
The other indicator to how the Lakers’ stars have been able to conserve energy in-game can be directly seen in the changes in their shot profile.
Both Davis and James’ attempts at the rim have plummeted, and replacing those chances are jumpers from all over the floor. It’s worth noting however, that both have also been absurdly effective in this regard as well. So shrug, sorry defenses.
Introducing the individual skills of the new pieces has simply created a new functionality to the Lakers that was not present last season. The team can operate without James and Davis (seven fewer touches) dominating the ball — they still do and should — but the survivability in those possessions and minutes, feels manageable now.
The sheer firepower added of course is a positive, but also grants the coaching staff a sense of trust to let their stars catch their breath just a second or minute longer on the pine.
Via: ESPN
One of the more notable reasons for this trust is the squad has done what has typically felt like the impossible, win minutes without James on the floor.
Historically a nagging issue with James’ led teams as most recently as last season, the combination of the Lakers’ reserves and starters have been a +2 in the possessions without James this year. A major early win for all those involved.
The aforementioned bench is also 2nd in the league in terms of points per game, and the team’s overall offensive attack is far more balanced with six players currently averaging double digit scoring compared to just four last season.
How much the combination of blowouts and the new ingredients in place will ultimately benefit James, Davis and the Lakers alike is still unknown.
But between the video-game like scores and frightening number of options now zig-zagging down the court, the team simply feels further ahead in the process than many expected they would at this point. Better even. A proposition that should evoke dread around the league.
And while James is indeed right, he cannot bank time like Justin Timberlake does in the movie, the Lakers are trying their damnedest to come as close as possible for he and Davis this year.
So best to keep an eye on their bench during the game. Look for the jawing with the officials and opposition, keep track of the number of laughs and yes, also make sure to look down for the slides.
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