Los Angeles Lakers: Bright Spots in a Dark Season

Nov 12, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 29, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Ronnie Price (9) against the Phoenix Suns during the home opener at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Lakers 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Ronnie Price

Position: Point Guard

Age: 31

Experience: 10th Season

Season Averages 9.94 PER, 21.0 MPG, 4.3 PPG, 4.4 APG, 1.9 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 1.0 TOPG

At times during the 2014 NBA preseason, my timeline was flooded with tweets about Ronnie Price needing to be cut by the Los Angeles Lakers. In no time at all, Price has turned things around and become a valuable contributor.

There are significant weaknesses, but Price has been a bright spot as the backup point guard.

Price is 31 years old, and barring a late-career turnaround, isn’t going to become a star. What he’s given the Lakers, however, is a source of steady ball movement and never-ending energy.

With Steve Nash out for the season, that’s vital.

Price isn’t shooting well whatsoever, but don’t let the percentages fool you. He’s dishing out 4.4 assists to just 1.0 turnover and utilizes crisp passes to set up the second unit’s offense.

Whether he’s facilitating or forcing turnovers, Price brings something new every time out. His shooting will become an area of concern if he continues to be this erratic, but he’s taken five or less shots in five of his past six games.

Price isn’t there to win the Lakers games. He’s there to set a tone for young players as an all-out energy player who’s responsible with the ball.

Those are invaluable lessons.

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