With a 3-10 record, the Los Angeles Lakers are in bad shape overall, but there are reasons to be cautiously hopeful.
They’re coming off a very solid, 116-103, win over a surging Brooklyn Nets team that had won five of its previous seven games, and reinforcements could soon be on the way.
But there is also tangible proof the team is heading in the right direction.
The Lakers’ offense, which has been the biggest reason for their poor start, has been improving.
Overall, the team ranks 26th in points per game, 30th in offensive rating and 30th in 3-point shooting, which is terrible.
But a closer look reveals improvement.
According to NBA.com’s detailed stats, L.A. has ranked 17th in offensive rating, 18th in points per game and 14th in 3-point shooting percentage in its last six contests.
For the season so far, the Lakers rank fourth in fast-break points, 16.7 per game. Transition offense and playing fast have been significant areas of emphasis for head coach Darvin Ham. Even though their fast break has come and gone to a certain extent, it’s clear their running game is dangerous when it’s on.
There is a very long way to go, but perhaps the team is starting to head in the right direction, at least in some ways.
