6 Changes the Los Angeles Lakers have made since the start of the season:
After Mike Brown was fired after five games and a 1-4 start, the Lakers have gone 4-1. Early reviews of Mike D’Antoni in practice have been positive but his offensive philosophy has not really changed how Los Angeles has performed. Offensive Efficiency and Effective Field Goal Percentage are about the same (still better than the league average) but defensive effort is much improved.
The team is allowing less penetration into the paint and has committed fewer fouls. Turnover rate, perhaps because of new players, lack of offensive movement or unfamiliarity with the Princeton set, was high during the first few games, wasting possessions. The team is shooting better from mid-range and Kobe Bryant is distributing the ball to teammates for baskets twice as much.
One difference is the team’s spacing, which is simple and relies on fundamental concepts but provides multiple passing lanes as the defense shifts. Rather than standing still, unsure of the cuts to be made in the offense, teammates have provided Bryant with open shooters in the corner and on the help side and two posts ducking into the paint from the weak side.