The Lake is Filled Once Again

The "Lake Show" is back! The LA Lakes are currently on a 3-game winning streak and it probably feels more like a 15-game streak after everything that the team and their fans have been through. Kobe has double digit assists during this streak, Nash is hitting clutch shots, Dwight and Pau have been producing more, and one of the less talked about reasons is the emergence of the Lakers' role players. Players like Earl Clark, Jodie Meeks and Antawn Jamison have stepped up at one point or another during these past few games and played a critical role in winning games. And although Kobe is getting most of the credit for his PG-type play, and he deserves it, let's give some credit to the one man that will NEVER get any... Mike D'Antoni!

This roster may not be suited for his system with the way they were trying to play early in the season, but remember that D'Antoni was not given a training camp to work with his players or implement any type of offensive strategy. The Lakers have been learning on the fly and just because you have big names like Kobe, Dwight and Nash doesn't mean they would instantly gel together and win an NBA title. The Heat struggled learning how to play together (and they didn't have a coaching change after 5 games) and the Knicks stars Melo and Stat STILL don't know how to properly play together (although they are getting closer). The Lakers have high expectations, and rightfully so, but D'Antoni has been implementing his strategy on the fly as they are playing games and that is a very tough thing to do. With Kobe deciding to embrace his new role, the D'Antoni system is now looking a bit more promising for the Lakers. The one thing that a D'Antoni offense has done in the past is elevate the play of marginal players and help them to make more impactful contributions for a winning basketball team. This is why players like Meeks and Clark are suddenly lighting it up and making huge plays for the Lakers. D'Antoni, Nash, and Kobe have worked tirelessly to find a solution to the problems and they have found one. The Lakers CAN win this way and although Kobe loves scoring, he loves winning much more. Kobe knows that D'Antoni is not going anywhere this season and they must try and make it work so that Kobe has a legitimate shot at another ring, which is the ultimate goal.

This new offensive philosophy will be tested very quickly, however, because the Lakers will be on the road for their next 7 games. They can beat teams like the Suns, T-Wolves, and Pistons and if they do.. who's to say that a possible 6-game winning streak wouldn't give them the momentum and confidence that they need to go on the road and beat teams like Brooklyn, Boston, and Miami. Time will tell, but never underestimate a basketball team gaining confidence and trusting each other to make plays.