Author:
Clark Kent
 Mild-mannered reporter
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Date Posted: 20:18:43 02/20/07 Tue
More at Sports Illustrated
Many observers have attributed the Lakers' recent slump (they've lost 11 of their last 15 games) to the absence of do-it-all forward Luke Walton, and they're partially right. Walton's versatile play and ability to think on his feet in the triangle offense usually make life easy for both superstar and role player alike. The offense has taken a dive with Walton out -- the spacing isn't the same, the open looks aren't there as much and Walton's own long-range shooting touch (40 percent on threes this year) has been missed -- but these issues will likely resolve themselves once Walton returns sometime this month.
Even with sharpshooter Vladimir Radmanovic out for two months with a separated shoulder, the offense (currently seventh in the NBA in overall efficiency) should perk back up. It's the other end of the court that should have Lakers fans worried.
Los Angeles' defense is among the league's worst, with perimeter stops a mere pipe dream at this point, and no real interior threat to scare penetrating guards or forwards out of the paint. The team is 23rd in defensive efficiency, giving up 109.5 points per 100 possessions, just a percentage point ahead of Don Nelson's Golden State team. And Walton's return doesn't figure to change things all that much: The Lakers have stunk from the outset of the season getting stops, and though Walton has his moments defensively, there are some personnel issues that just aren't going to right themselves until this roster is shaken up.
Which is another reason why the Lakers are going after Jason Kidd. Smush Parker has all the tools to be a fine defensive guard (long arms, quick feet and a headband in place in case he perspires), but he's among the league's worst at his position, continually putting the Lakers' defense on its heels after letting his own man get by him. Kidd had a horrible start to the season defensively, but he's come on like gangbusters as of late -- to these eyes, he's gone from one of the worst (or, at least, most passive) defensive guards in the game to one of the best in just a few months. Really, Kidd's offense is only part of what the Lakers are after.

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