The loss to the Houston Rockets may have been gut wrenching, but it’s the loss of Lonzo Ball to injury that hurts more.
Losing Lonzo
According to the BBall Index player grades, Lonzo is an A- playmaker in the entire league with over 500 minutes played. He ranks in the 86.6th percentile and is a critical piece for running the Laker offense.
With Rajon Rondo out, it leaves Lance Stephenson as the best remaining point guard option.
Here’s how Lance Stephenson compares with Lonzo Ball this season.
While that is a considerable drop off in playmaking, it’s worth noting how Lance is more effective as a one-on-one player and finisher around the basket. There’s some comfort in his ability to make basic reads while being a three-level scorer. Per 36 minutes of play, he’s averaging 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists on 44.5 percent shooting from the field, and 38.3 percent behind the arc.
That’s pretty good considering his position in the guard rotation.
Where Brandon Ingram Can Help
Unfortunately, Lance can’t play all 48 minutes. Brandon Ingram comes to mind as a backup point guard, but given his role on the team, the player grades show otherwise.
It’s simply too tough to replace a fair level playmaker with a player whose role has completely shifted. For what it’s worth, Brandon Ingram had a similar role change last year when Lonzo was out with injury. His player grades reflect for the year, but for the 5-week stint, he looked great out there.
His bump in assists with a less deviation from 5 assists per game is a reflection of his playmaking ability. In fact, when we compare that overall season to Lance Stephenson’s playmaking for this season, the drop off doesn’t quite look so bad.
Simply put, the Lakers need Brandon Ingram to be the glue-guy once again.
Since January 7th, he’s shown that he’s slowly making the adjustment.
That is a huge increase compared to how he started the season, playing more as an isolation player instead of a facilitator.
How Injuries To Lonzo Ball And Rajon Rondo Affect The Lakers
Overall, the Lakers are heavily reliant on their guard play on both ends of the floor. Their team strengths revolve around perimeter defense and playmaking, and that stands out with the contributions from Lonzo Ball and Rajon Rondo. Simply put, that’s very good point guard depth.
Even with the lack of consistent perimeter shooting and great isolation play in the front court, the Lakers’ ability to push pace, get points in the paint, defend, and grab defensive rebounds despite the injuries is what has the Lakers 25-22, well above .500 with the net rating of a 43.3 win team.
Unfortunately, that’s not enough to get in the playoffs in the Western Conference, but LeBron James and Rajon Rondo are coming back in short time.
What To Expect In The Near Future
Rajon Rondo and LeBron James were recently cleared for full practice.
Luke Walton says he hopes to have a full practice with both LeBron and Rondo on Sunday in L.A. but he does not anticipate either of them playing Monday vs. GSW.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 19, 2019
While neither is expected to return against the Golden State Warriors, it is a good sign that both players are getting closer to playing on court once again.
For now, the Lakers have to weather a storm that always comes around in January. Usually there’s a large road trip or two, tough competition listed in the schedule, and injuries that begin to pile up. This is the hardest test of the regular season. When the Lakers get over this hump in February into March, it’ll reveal if the Lakers are a lottery team or a playoff team. A difference of five wins or losses in the Western Conference can sway things that much.
Injuries can decimate teams. Playing through adversity can build team character. We just have to wait and see what this Laker team is made of.
