Lakers back at full strength

First an obvious statement: the Lakers are better with Pau Gasol. But it’s how the Lakers need to use Gasol combined with Kobe’s massive ego that produces a question for tonight’s game with the Bulls. Adding Gasol is a huge improvement to the roster, but it makes for a lot of changes to the Lakers’ offensive game plan. Pretty much every person on the roster is going to have to change; they have to adjust to how Gasol and Kobe are going to play together.

(For a really, really good break down of what the addition of Gasol means and how the Lakers are going to have to adjust read What to Expect with Gasol Back from Forum Blue and Gold. No really, I wont be offended. It’s really good, but I will mention a few of their points here.)

To understand what Gasol’s return means it’s important to ask, “how has the Lakers’ offense run without him?” It’s a small sample size (only 11 games) without him this season, but the answer is Kobe. Kobe Bryant has been the Lakers’ offense; he’s taken an average of four more shots per game and 1.5 more free throws per game. He’s added a new dimension to his game, taking more shots in the post. (While Kobe’s taken four extra shots per game, he’s also taken two less 3-pointers per game.)

The post has been a good spot for Kobe, but because of it he’s dominating the ball. The Lakers are winning, but when Kobe gets the ball in the post his teammates tend to stand around while Kobe does his thing. Forum Blue and Gold insists the Lakers need to get back to a more balanced offense, and Gasol is a big part of this. Gasol is such a good and willing passer (unlike Kobe) that other players will move without the ball to get open.

What’s Kobe going to do?

Is Kobe going to go back to the outside, and be the “perimeter/slashing/penetrating force” the Lakers don’t have with him in the post? Or does Kobe not care about Gasol’s return and just continue playing in the post because that’s what Kobe wants to do?

Over the course of the season the Lakers will get everyone in sync. I’m sure Kobe will find the right balance of getting easy points inside and playing on the perimeter to let Gasol be most effective. The Bulls’ best hope is that it takes a game or two for the Lakers to figure it out.