How long can the Lakers keep hiding their fatal flaw? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been on quite a tear this season. They are currently 15-5 and are the 2nd seed in the West after almost a quarter of the season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe organization is firing on all cylinders from the top down. New team owner Mark Walter is beginning to put his stamp on the franchise, JJ Redick is arguably the COTY to this point, and the team’s two stars, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, are playing like MVP candidates.
More: Do the Lakers legitimately have two MVP candidates?
The team just got LeBron back as well. Without him, the Lakers were 23rd in 3P%, and since his return, they’ve been 6th. Everything is going right. Well, almost everything.
The Lakers do currently have one glaring issue, and if it’s not addressed, it could prove to be fatal to their title hopes.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe starting vs bench scoring discrepancy is jaw-dropping
The Lakers' starting lineup, as previously mentioned, has been absolutely rolling. Led by JJ Redick, his two stars have been doing their thing, LeBron is back, and Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton have been fantastic this season.
This has led the Purple and Gold’s starting unit to become the NBA’s highest scoring starting lineup, averaging a staggering 95.9 PPG.
The issue comes when those guys leave the court.
Their bench unit has been putrid this season, which doesn’t make much sense. LA has some bench pieces who have been fantastic contributors this season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPlayers like Jake LaRavia, Marcus Smart, and Jaxson Hayes have played fantastically in their minutes so far this season. Outside of some flashes from LaRavia and Smart, however, the bench has been lacking a scoring punch.
At 15-5, it clearly hasn’t affected the team all that much, but it’s still very early in the season. As the season drags on, it will be imperative for the Lakers' bench to relieve the starters and keep them fresh for the playoffs.
Don’t be surprised to see the team push for even more of a scoring punch via trade.
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