Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Midseason Takeaways

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Dec 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Thomas Robinson (15) and guard Louis Williams (23) defend against Utah Jazz guard Raul Neto (25) during the third quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

5. The Lakers bench is their best asset

Led by Lou Williams, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., Tarik Black and Thomas Robinson, the Lakers’ reserve unit has been their greatest asset. The bench is averaging 49.2 points, 19.2 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 4.3 steals per game. It ranks first in points per game, third in rebounds per game, sixth in assists and first in steals per game this season.

Guard Lou Williams leads the team with 18.1 points per game and ties for second on the team with 1.2 steals per game off the bench. Williams is making a case for Sixth Man of the Year in 2017. He is second among bench players in points per game so far.

Reserve point guard Jordan Clarkson leads the team in steals at 1.3 per game. Nance Jr. has 1.2 steals per game as well his fair share of poster dunks off the bench. Maybe we’ll see him in the Slam Dunk Contest?

My 2016 Dunk of the Year goes to Larry Nance Jr. (@Larrydn22) @Lakers 😫😩😯😷🤒🤕pic.twitter.com/0jsf0O7tAA
— The Hoop Report (@TheFLRecruiter) January 1, 2017

Nance Jr. is also averaging 7.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in 22.4 minutes of work. He is shooting 58.4 percent from the floor but he is out up to four weeks due to a bruised knee. Black is averaging 5.8 points and 5.3 rebounds and Robinson is averaging 4.1 points and 5.0 rebounds. They are averaging a 27 minutes per game combined.

Despite their record, the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t in the worst shape in the league. If anything, they have one of the best benches in the NBA.

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