Fan view. Lakers Look Like A Team In Win Over Miami

The Lakers looked very much like a team yesterday.  Not in the sense of how shots were divided amongst players ( a poor way to look at the value of a team in my estimation.), but rather as players that were playing for each other and to win the game.  With grit and determination on defense, and with skill and execution on offense.

They played as a team.

Yes the post players played well.  If you look at their numbers, there performances were actually pretty routine.

Both Gasol and Bynum average about 16 points.  Pau actually played under his statistical averages.  Bynum turning in typical numbers except for his blocked shots.  But even then, he is supposed to be a clog in the lane every night, so that's not surprising either.

Kobe played great on offense, scoring efficiently and was great at setting up various sets for the Lakers to run.  But again he played under his averages in both assists, and rebounds.

Fisher had 4.

The bench combined for a measly 12 points.

The ONLY thing difference...and it's a stark one, was that Metta World Peace showed up and played well beyond what he's shown this season.  He scored 17.  Three times what he has averaged.  He rebounded at double the rate he had shown.

He played great.

But this is beyond numbers.  This is not a statistical overlay about production.  This is about why the Lakers looked on Sunday like they could be a real threat for a championship.  They competed about as hard as I've seen a team compete this early in the season.
 
LeBron could be the best player to ever play the game.  But he doesn't want to be.  He instead will insist on trying to be the best teammate in the world.  That distinction is important.

 The one who defers to Wade in closing moments, that tries to help Bosh score some easy baskets, passes out of double teams for open 3's.

But I believe that some of those decisions are wrong.  That sometimes the higher percentage play in order to score and win the game is take a "bad shot" against a double team, that splits and challenges defenses.  That a "selfish" shot is the right shot for a team.

The Lakers balanced and supported the "selfish" shots of Bryant, Gasol and Bynum and to some extent Metta World Peace.

If this is the case, the and players support each others styles rather than demanding they change them, then they are better off for it.

For example.  If Kobe wants to post 1 on 1 versus Shane Battier the players are in agreement that match-up favors Kobe.  Exploit it until help comes.  If Kobe is still hot, you may be able to ride him for a whole quarter.  If the shot seems forced, or impossible to you, it's still OK because the principal belief you have in him 1 on 1 with Battier.

Last night, there was no hint of dissension within that team.  No one arguing about shots or minutes.  The Lakers absolutely played together, and won because of both the collection of talent and the support and confidence that they bring out in each other. 

The eyeball test is not used in basketball analytics very often.  But don't be surprised if this Laker squad begins to heat up.  The value of belief in one another is a very difficult thing to quantify.