The Los Angeles Lakers are 5-1 against a tough schedule since Kobe Bryant told his co-star Pau Gasol to be a Black Swan. That tells you that, at some level, Kobe's push has helped. Gasol is averaging 14.5 field goal attempts per game over the last six, up a bit from his season average. But on its face, the Lakers offense has looked more like a team effort than the unfortunately more typical Kobe And The Pips routine that gets L.A. into trouble.
Lakers Vs. Magic: Can Kobe Bryant And Pau Gasol Keep The Love Alive?
Of course, Kobe takes heat when that happens, but it’s worth noting again for emphasis that Bryant implored Pau to be more aggressive ahead of this stretch of games. That’s not Kobe being Selfy McSelfishson. That’s Kobe recognizing that Pau can be passive -- too passive -- and that the Lakers are better when Gasol goes hard. It’s worked, though L.A.‘s defense has also improved of late, and might have more to do with recent success.
Speaking of recent success, that's something the Orlando Magic, Sunday's Lakers foe (3:30 PM Eastern, ABC) wouldn't know about. The Magic are 5-6 over their last 11, and just 9-9 over the past month. Orlando's avoided the outright disaster stretch other top-flight teams have experienced, but has been up and down since a sizzling post-trade run. The Magic's defense (No. 3 in the NBA) remains strong, but its offense -- fourth last season -- has fallen to No. 11.
But a win over the Lakers would be a fantastic statement, and, knowing Gilbert Arenas, a confidence boost given that this L.A. core (with Trevor Ariza instead of Ron Artest) made quick work of Orlando in the 2009 NBA Finals. Orlando needs confidence. L.A. needs to keep up to hot streak. Let's see what gives.
For more on the Lakers, checkout Silver Screen And Roll and SB Nation Los Angeles. For Magic analysis, you belong at Orlando Pinstriped Post.
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