BASKETBALL--WHO IS USING THEIR BENCH TO FULLEST ADVANTAGE?

BASKETBALL—WHO IS USING THEIR BENCH TO FULLEST ADVANTAGE?

With nearly 20 % of the season over, the Lakers are in a 4-way tie for 1st place with Atlanta, Orlando and Phoenix, followed by a 4-way tie for 2nd place between Boston, Cleveland, Dallas and Denver. It looks like the season is off to a great start with lots of competition to keep our skills honed. The Lakers are scheduled to play at Golden State Saturday night. Currently, the Lakers regulars are averaging 29.33 mpg, and the subs are averaging 9.72 mpg, compared with an NBA regulars average of 28.37 mpg and NBA subs average of 9.21 mpg. Golden State is averaging 26.16 mpg for regulars and 14.65 mpg for their subs. Since the Lakers regulars average playing over 3 times as many minutes as Lakers subs do, there is plenty of game time to be shared. Now would be a great time to increase playing time for our substitutes, so they have a chance to develop their game early in the season. The playoffs will be here before we know it, and we’ll need all the help we can get.

Mark Overt Skilbred

(Source: NBA team stats from 11-22-09 and available standings from 11-24-09)