Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons the team belongs on Santa’s nice list
By Jason Elbaum
3. The team is truly sharing the basketball
As kids, we grow up learning that one of the nicest things you can do for someone is to be willing to share something of yours with someone else so you both can enjoy it. The young Lakers have taken this lesson to heart as they have been sharing the basketball across the rotation, and it has resulted in happy players.
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The Lakers have enjoyed a different style of play this season under Luke Walton, as he encourages the team to push the ball up the floor in transition. The Lakers are currently eighth in the league averaging 23.2 assists per game, up from 26th in the league last year at just 20.9 assists per contest.
It’s pretty easy to point out the difference between the two teams, as rookie point guard Lonzo Ball has led the culture shift for Los Angeles this season with his unselfish play. The UCLA product is eighth in the NBA in assists with 7.1 per game by always looking for open teammates in the half-court and on the break.
Ball’s passing ability has become contagious for a young Lakers team as now both Brandon Ingram and Jordan Clarkson are averaging better than three assists per game. We have seen how the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs dominate the league with their superb ball movement, so it is a positive sign to see the young Lakers developing these habits early in their careers.