Below is a by-the-numbers look at the Lakers’ season through 26 games.
Mamba Rising Kobe Bryant began the season shooting a dismal 29.6 percent from the field in his first 17 games. Though the future Hall of Famer is still saddled with the league’s lowest field goal percentage, he seems to be turning a corner as his legs feel fresher and his rhythm develops, as he has hit 48.9 percent in his last six contests.
Randle on the Rebounds In what is essentially his rookie season, Julius Randle has announced his presence on the boards by ranking 12th in the NBA in rebounds (9.5). The 21-year-old also leads all sophomores on the glass and in double-doubles (12).
Russell the Rook D’Angelo Russell has done a bit of everything in the early stages of his rookie season. The 19-year-old ranks third among first-year players in assists (3.5) and fourth in scoring (11.9). He also leads all rookies in 3-pointers (1.5) and his team in steals (1.2).
Steady JC Jordan Clarkson continues to outpace his No. 46 selection in the 2014 Draft, as he places third among sophomores in both scoring (14.9) and 3-point percentage (38.8). Clarkson also leads the Lakers in minutes (31.9), which speaks to the team’s distribution of playing time, since that is only the 55th-most in the league.
Big Roy Roy Hibbert has been putting his 7-foot-2 frame to work, as he ranks 10th in the NBA in blocks (1.88). The first-year Laker has also displayed a bit of touch, as he shoots the third-best free throw percentage among centers (85.2).
Lou’s Big Days Lou Williams has strung together two of the NBA’s biggest games in separate categories. His seven steals against Washington on Dec. 2 were the third-most this season, while his 16 made free throws on Nov. 3 versus Denver ranked second.
Swaggy 3 Nick Young has been the Lakers’ top long-range threat. The Los Angeles native leads his team in both 3-pointers (1.9) and percentage from deep (39.3).
Big Fish Brandon Bass has made the most of his scoring looks by leading the Lakers in field goal percentage (55.3). Part of this has to do with his team-best 24 dunks in 21 games.
The Bad Of course, there is plenty to be desired from a 4-22 record. The Lakers have allowed the NBA’s third-most points (106.8), while shooting a league-worst 41.5 percent on the other end of the floor. L.A. has also been consistently beaten on the glass, where it is surrendering the second-most rebounds (47.5) and an NBA-high 12.3 offensive boards.
