Lakers Need An Infirmary in Their Locker Room
The Los Angeles Lakers are now officially in survival mode. The Lakers lost Kobe Bryant for as many as six weeks and now must try to survive until the future Hall of Famer returns.
Los Angeles is currently in fifth place in the Pacific division six games behind the first place Los Angeles Clippers. In conference play however, the Lakers are in 18th place and already a long shot to make the postseason currently 9.5 games behind the eighth place Milwaukee Bucks.
Wesley Johnson guarding first Kevin Love and then Stephen Curry tells you something about his versatility on defense but even more about the state of turmoil the Lakers roster is going through.
Kendal Marshall was recently signed from the D-League and played as early as the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors over the weekend.
Chris Kaman put up 17 shots, which also speaks of how things have changed on the Lakers due to injuries. Coaches and players will have to get used to this since it will be this way for an unknown length of time.
The team hopes Pau Gasol returns to the lineup on Monday when the Lakers face Phoenix after sitting out Saturday against Golden State with an infection of his upper respiratory system. Jordan Farmar should return sometime later in the week to give the Lakers a true point guard.
To start the season, the Lakers were 10-9 without Bryant while he was recovering from his Achilles problem and Steve Nash was trying to withstand nerve damage in his back. At this point LA must get through it with no set time for Nash to return and Kobe expected back sometime in early February. When that happens, if the Lakers are not completely out of the playoff picture, then it will be a huge accomplishment.
Four guards – Nash, Bryant, Farmar and Steve Blake are all out with injuries, which makes it difficult for both the offense and defense.
Xavier Henry, a swingman, has been asked to play the guard spot and Marshall is really the only try point guard currently on the roster. Marshall went from being a 2012 lottery pick with Phoenix to a 2013 free agent, when LA signed him on Friday from Delaware.
Nick Young has been the biggest bright spot on the Lakers roster and can help immensely in handling the ball. The Lakers do not run much of a traditional style offense and are not in need that much of a true point guard.
Los Angeles has a record of 13-14 and played Phoenix late Monday night. Teams will now try to bottle up the Lakers guards and make it difficult for them to set up plays.
Coach Mike D’Antoni and his players must try to survive this onslaught and hope the injured players get healthy as quickly as possible; otherwise, they could be well out of the playoff race before Bryant returns in February.
