If one were to judge the Los Angeles Lakers so far this season based solely on stats, one might conclude that they simply aren’t a good team.
They currently rank 14th in offensive and defensive rating, 15th in net rating and 17th in points per game. They’re also struggling in a few specific areas — they’re 26th in 3-point shooting percentage, 27th in fast-break points per game and last in made 3-pointers per game.
However, the Lakers are 12-4 and in third place in the Western Conference coming into Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, and a win over the Clippers would elevate them into second place in the West. They have been successful thus far by winning lots of close games and by overcoming deficits to post victories, which is one trait that good and great teams have.
Guard Marcus Smart said Los Angeles is where it is right now because of its resilience.
Via Lakers Nation:
“Just our resilience. It’s something new every game for us that’s allowing us to do that when we get in those woes. We have some vets on the team that do a really good job of controlling the tempo, controlling the tempers, controlling emotions and making sure we get the job done.”
Smart’s numbers were very meager in Sunday’s win over the Utah Jazz, but he continued to help the Lakers on the defensive end. With the team clinging to a 108-106 lead in the final seconds and needing a defensive stop to win, Smart guarded Jazz guard Keyonte George and caused George to fall before the ball was inbounded. George missed a 3-pointer just before the final horn, preserving a Lakers victory.
The NBA’s last two minutes report for the game indicated that a foul should’ve been called on Smart during that possession for clamping and holding George’s arm and hindering George’s freedom of movement. Still, Los Angeles found a way to win despite trailing by seven points late in the third quarter.
