3 Adjustments The Lakers Need To Make

After an encouraging OT win versus the Washington Wizards, the Lakers took a couple of steps backward by losing back-to-back games against the Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz.  Inexperience may have been the biggest factor in those losses but there are other things the Lakers need to address if they plan to contend for a playoff spot this season.

Here are 3 adjustments the Lakers NEED to make to play better.

1) More Play Calling From The Bench - The Lakers are a young squad learning how to play in the NBA while adapting to a new system.  Lonzo seems reluctant to pull the trigger on obvious scoring opportunities, Brandon Ingram thinks he can only drive to the basket to score, Jordan Clarkson can't decide if he wants to shoot or pass and Kyle Kuzma has been relegated to picking up garbage baskets.  One way to remedy some of these offensive woes is for Coach Walton to do some play calling when the team gets into scoring droughts or lulls.  Don't get me wrong, there are benefits in having players figure out the system on their own but occasional play calling from the bench can minimize miscues and help the team reestablish an offensive rhythm.      

2) Make The Simple Pass - Since the Lakers drafted Lonzo Ball with the second overall pick, we've heard basketball experts predict his Magic-like passing abilities will infect the rest of the team.  As encouraging as this may sound, this has led to a number of players who are less skilled in the art of the pass trying to make the spectacular assist which have led to untimely / costly turnovers.  It would be in everyone's best interest to leave the spectacular passing to Lonzo while the rest of the Lakers just focus on making the straightforward pass.  A simple pass will promote ball movement, make defenders rotate thus opening up scoring opportunities while hopefully limiting turnovers that can turn into points for the opposition.

3) Establish Rotation Continuity - Coach Walton has been rewarding players who have shown offensive efficiency and/or defensive effort with more playing time whether they started the game or came off the bench.  This is obviously a solid coaching strategy but in turn it has also prevented this young team to develop much needed chemistry.  The Lakers' are unable to sustain offensive proficiency or defensive effectiveness when there is little continuity in player substitutions.  The coaches may still be figuring out the best combinations so I'll give them more time to get the mix just right.

Do you agree with these adjustments?  What other adjustments, if any, would you make?  Leave a comment below and let's GO LAKERS!