Los Angeles Lakers: Three-game winning streak and Kobe Bryant's extension

Jordan Farmar #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Travis Outlaw #25 of the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center.

The Los Angeles Lakers are on a three-game win streak, the longest of their season, and currently hold a record of 7-7. They’ve defeated their opponents handily during this streak, scoring at least 100 points every contest, while holding the opposing team to below three-digits. This sudden surge of excellent play gives Lakers fans optimism for the rest of the season. I certainly didn’t expect Los Angeles to be at .500 at anytime during the 2013-14 campaign. Here are a few notes from last night’s 100-86 win over the Sacramento Kings before I go into futher analysis of what the Lakers have been doing right.

Lakers reserve Xavier Henry had a spectacular game against Sacramento, scoring 21 points (12 in the fourth quarter). The big X dazzled Hollywood with an array of difficult drives and three-pointers. Henry has been inconsistent this year, proving he can score in bunches if he wants to (he has reached double-digits five times this year). However, in games where Henry hasn’t scored in the double-digits, he hasn’t scored more than six points and has posted a horrible 11/46 shooting (24%). If he can prove that he can contribute while having an off-shooting night, coach Mike D’Antoni should feature him in the rotation more often, but Henry has to learn that he can’t force his shot if they aren’t going down. Nonetheless, excellent performace by the Kansas product last night.

Los Angeles has shown great patience and ball-movement on the court the last couple of weeks. They love passing it around the wing, making defenders chase the ball and getting it to the open man. They did this numerous times last night, allowing Shawne Williams and Jodie Meekswide-open looks at the basket. The Lakers only had 10 turnovers against the Kings, an excellent number considering the high-octane offense they run. Steve Blake has been the main reason behind this as he’s made smart decisions and his savvy passing is really allowing the Lakers to run a smooth transition offense. Last night he threw a gorgeous three-quarter lob to a streaking Meeks on a fast break and a masterful bounce pass in traffic to Jordan Hill.

The Lakers defense was spectacular last night. They harrassed King’s star Demarcus “Boogie” Cousins every time he touched the ball as he shot below 50% and turned the ball over a team-high three times. The Lakers held Sacramento to only 41% shooting and 33% from beyond the arc. Los Angeles had eight steals and nine blocks, evidence of phenomenal perimenter and paint protection. Granted, they were facing the lowly Kings, but Los Angeles has played this sort of suffocating defense during their win streak.

Laker Improvements

The Resurgence of Pau Gasol. The Spaniard is back! I recently wrote an article condemning D’Antoni’s use of the big man, but somehow, Gasol is finding ways to become effective in such a fast offense. His mid-range jumpshot has begun to fall with regular consistency, and he was constantly making contested 10-footers last night. His shooting touch isn’t the only thing that has come back. Gasol’s presence in the paint has been much more evident. He had a couple of glorious post moves against the Golden State Warriors and he has been playing much more aggressive defense. I could have spoken too soon when I wrote the article last week, it’s possible that Gasol just needed time to adjust to D’Antoni’s system, and with Gasol’s high basketball IQ, I shouldn’t be too surprised that he’s managed to find a way. Look for Pau-Wow-Wow to continue playing improved basketball.

Jordan Farmar and Steve Blake. These two guards have been simply fantastic since Nash went down with an injury. Blake has been playing at a high level, taking care of the ball and hitting from deep regularly. I truly enjoy watching Blake snake his way around defenders and running the baseline to bounce pass to a cutting Hill or Gasol. He’s really embraced such a fast offense and has 64 assists in his last 6 games. The Lakers’ play making doesn’t quiet down when he hits the bench though. Jordan Farmar has stabilized this elite bench squad with his stifling defense and steady hand. He has 11 assists and zero turnovers in Los Angeles’ last two games. His explosiveness around the rim and long range keeps defenders honest and I just love watching his basketball smarts on the court. Blake and Farmar have really taken D’Antoni’s offense to heart and they’re truly running it to perfection right now.

Stifling Defense. For a team that gives up an average of over 100 point per game, they’ve really bunkered down on the defensive end. With Chris Kaman out with a knee injury, Hill and Gasol have played extended minutes. As both are better suited on the defensive-end than Kaman, the Lakers rim protection has been more effective. But it’s not just the work of a couple of players. Every Laker has played effective defense. They work as a unit and don’t thrive on the elite defensive abilities of one player, such as teams would on Metta World Peace, Thabo Sefolosha or Iman Shumpert. They swarm players who receive the ball on the paint, trap whenever they can and watch each others back on help. I’m not saying the Lakers are the best defensive team in the league, I’m saying that their defense is keeping up with their offense and the Lakers are devoting equal attention to both sides of the floor and not just on scoring.

Wesley Johnson. God, I feel so stupid for hating on Johnson this past offseason. I looked at his stats and decided he would be an awful addition to this team without thinking of how he would fit in the system. I was so wrong. Johnson has adaptated perfectly to D’Antoni’s style of play and earned himself a place in the starting line-up against the Kings. His energy on the court is infectious. He had a chase-down block in the opening period of the Lakers’ win over Sacramento and a thunderous dunk moments later. His long arms allow him to be an excellent perimeter defense as well as an excellent contester. On the offensive end, Johnson is shooting 40% from beyond the arc. His overall shooting isn’t too impressive but his energy he brings on the floor is his true value to this Laker team.

Kobe Bryant signs contract extension

Early this morning (November 25, 2013), it was announced by the Lakers front office that they had signed superstar Kobe Bryant to a two-year extension valued at $48.5 million, likely ensuring that Bryant would remain a Laker for life.

While I’m happy that we can keep my idol on the roster until the end of his career, I am disappointed the Lakers invested so much money into him. While arguably the best player in NBA history, Bryant is coming off offseason surgery for a torn Achilles tendon. No player ever in the history of the league has come back from an injury of that nature and returned to the level or production that player exhibited prior to that injury. It is regarded as one of the biggest and most effective career-ending injuries you could possibly sustain.

While I understand that Bryant has a pain threshold that is above the normal NBA player, or human for that matter, it is hard to imagine that he could return to his normal playing level anytime soon. Thus, I can’t imagine why the Lakers would want to invest close to $50 million on a player whose production and value they have no clue about. The signing deals a tremendous blow to Laker fans hopes that this upcoming offseason will lead to the acquisition of superstars such as Kevin Love and/or Carmelo Anthony.