Team Has No Identity

lakurluv · Star Player Joined: 17 May 2010 Posts: 2529

I know it's still early on, but IMO the team should focus on establishing an identity. Without an identity, they have nothing to strive for each game. I can't really see how you have a game plan if you don't know who or what the team is?

When KB24 was at his peak and he had a supportive cast like 2010, it was easy that we were going to be able to play solid tough defense with our Length up front (Bynum+Gasol+Odom) and toughness on the wings (Artest+KB24+Ariza). Offensively, it was simple give KB24 the ball and he can ISO or run the two man game with Gasol.

So we had an identity...
Right now we have a ton of young talented players, none are really the focal point and defensively we often seem lost or unsure of what we're doing. Even though Randle comes off the bench, he's been really good IMO so far this season albeit he may get traded before the deadline. Clarkson has also played well off the Bench and provided some fairly consistent play.

With the Starters, Kuzma is obviously our best scorer on the floor and he can get it from anywhere off the court. Surprisingly enough Ingram love getting to the cup with his wiry self in lieu of shooting jump shots ???
Zo is not a scoring guard and that's obvious, he's rather lazy at times on the floor and chooses to pass rather than put up big numbers.
So offensively there is nothing but confusion with the starters. It seems as though the Coaching Staff is hesitant on handing over the scoring load to anyone particular player and settling for team scoring to win games. That's a great idea if the Lakers were playing D1 College Basketball, but this is the NBA where Isolation is the focus and you better be able to guard your man 1-1 or else get beat!

My point is simply that the Team Needs an Identity and it doesn't seem like there is much focus in that area. I know they are developing the young guys and looking to make some moves, but if we had 25% of an identity, we would be closer to 500 at this point in the season which wouldn't be bad for a young team like the Lakers.

We need an Identity Luke, Work it Out... YOU CAN DO IT...LOL

Halflife · Franchise Player Joined: 15 Aug 2015 Posts: 16734

We are a scrappy high energy defensive team that shares the ball with talent soon to be elite.

activeverb · Retired Number Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 37470

Our identity is team in transition hoping to land two free agents next year

justsomelakerfan · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Jul 2016 Posts: 10939

I agree that there's no offensive identity for this team. I really don't think the pieces fit together very well whether it's Kuzma or Nance or Randle starting at PF. That entire starting lineup needs a shakeup.
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PHILosophize · Franchise Player Joined: 05 Nov 2012 Posts: 10758

hard to have an (offensive) identity without any star players
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fontana3d · Star Player Joined: 22 Mar 2013 Posts: 3794

AllorNothing · Franchise Player Joined: 08 Oct 2001 Posts: 18448

We have two offensive identify. Pass the ball around the perimeter until the shot clock goes off with the starters and JC/Randle pound/pick and roll for the bench.

scoobs · Star Player Joined: 19 Aug 2005 Posts: 4746

Let Kuzma shoot the ball 20 times per game and good things will likely happen.

durden-tyler · Star Player Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Posts: 1266

Typical LG thread after a loss...
When you have in your starting five 2 rookies, 1 sophomore and the 2 others are no NBA stars, if you don't expect this team to be middle of the pack AT BEST, I don't know what to tell you. Just be happy we are a very good defensive team (that's part of an identity), and accept we'll struggle all year, that's just how it's supposed to be given how our team is build, I even think we are in some ways overachieving...

justsomelakerfan · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Jul 2016 Posts: 10939

venturalakersfan · Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 8:56 am Post subject:

OCWA · Star Player Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 3660

If only we knew Kuzma was going to be this good we could have traded Ingram for George. PG would have solved some of our identity problems.

fontana3d · Star Player Joined: 22 Mar 2013 Posts: 3794

You Look Like AC Green · Sixth Man Joined: 21 Nov 2017 Posts: 99

Defensive rating is 4th in the league per basketball reference. Offensive rating is 28th in the league.

I think our identity is Walmart Showtime.

fontana3d · Star Player Joined: 22 Mar 2013 Posts: 3794

Fortysixn2 · Star Player Joined: 22 Jun 2016 Posts: 2849

You Look Like AC Green · Sixth Man Joined: 21 Nov 2017 Posts: 99

BynumForThree · Star Player Joined: 27 Feb 2016 Posts: 1254

A damsel in distress waiting for our two big strong free agent princes to rescue us from our castle.
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danzag · Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:02 am Post subject:

fontana3d · Star Player Joined: 22 Mar 2013 Posts: 3794

Omar Little · Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:12 am Post subject:

I have been critical of many things, but you can't really say this team has no identity. They are a hard working, cohesive, mostly unselfish bunch of guys who get after you defensively. On offense, they are missing an extra ball handling threat and shooters, and their scheme is lousy, but they still come at you and are unselfish.
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fontana3d · Star Player Joined: 22 Mar 2013 Posts: 3794

deal · Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:26 am Post subject:

SGVL1 · Starting Rotation Joined: 02 Apr 2014 Posts: 845

venturalakersfan · Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 11:05 am Post subject: