Pau Gasol has been back in uniform for two games now, both becoming Laker victories over teams with winning records (Portland and Dallas). The Los Angeles offensive onslaught, as you would imagine, has been vicious -- 104 points in 89 possessions against the Blazers, 112 points in 86 possessions against the Mavs last night.On-off data from 82games.com would corroborate Pau's positive impact on the offense -- the team has an offensive rating of 119.1 when Gasol is on the floor (versus a figure of 109.8 overall); for perspective, Utah and Phoenix have the best offenses in the league at offensive ratings of 111.2. The Lakers with Gasol are about 7 points better on offense than the freaking Suns.
On-off can be tricky and susceptible to inflation, so -- after the jump -- let's look at the offensive ratings for individual Laker games in which Pau has played.
Here is a rundown, in reverse chronological order, of the Lakers' offensive rating in each game Pau has played at least 10 minutes. Offensive rating (or 'ORtg') is team points scored per 100 possessions, and is used to compare performances independent of tempo. (Some teams play fast, which inflates their point totals.) The NBA average this season is roughly 106, with a range from 111.2 at the high end to 97.5 on the low end.
April 4, at DAL: 130.2 ORtg
April 2, vs POR: 116.9 ORtg
March 11, vs TOR: 125.8 ORtg
March 10, vs SAC: 110.8 ORtg
March 7, vs LAC: 130.8 ORtg
March 4, at SAC: 113.6 ORtg
March 2, vs DAL: 103.8 ORtg
Feb 29, at POR: 118.1 ORtg
Feb 28, vs MIA: 109.3 ORtg
Feb 26, vs POR: 106.7 ORtg
Feb 24, at SEA: 111 ORtg
Feb 23, at LAC: 114.1 ORtg
Feb 20, at PHX: 128.7 ORtg
Feb 19, vs ATL: 120.8 ORtg
Feb 13, at MIN: 115.8 ORtg
Feb 11, at CHA: 119.1 ORtg
Feb 10, at MIA: 108.3 ORtg
Feb 8, at ORL: 130 ORtg
Feb 6, at ATL: 102.2 ORtg
Feb 5, at NJN: 112.9 ORtg
Feb 3, at WAS: 122.6 ORtg
That's 21 games, with exactly two below league-average offensive nights. In more than half the games -- 11 -- the team went over 115 ORtg. They went over 120 ORtg six times.
This team, with Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom, was a good-to-great offense before Pau. Now, judging by the results, they might be unstoppable. Dallas is the #5 defense in the league (and a potential first-round matchup), and the Lakers just slapped a 130 ORtg on them.Watch out, World.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Oh great, another stat dork.
Posted at 1:11PM on Apr 5th 2008 by Gern Wormstead
2. Another championship would be great, especially since it would be without Shaq, Kobe finally gets recognition for the ring. We're baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack :-)
Posted at 1:12PM on Apr 5th 2008 by Randy Morris
3. Yea, two recent victories against Portland who are well on their way to being below .500 and Dallas who might not make the playoffs. I'll have more respect for the Lakers and their "juggernaut" of an offense if they beat teams like San Antonio, Utah or Phoenix in the playoffs.
Posted at 1:42PM on Apr 5th 2008 by JKlicious99
4. After watching Shaq play in person a few times with the Suns....I have the perfect name for him.......
THE BIG POLICE!!!!
He rules the world and intimidates like no other....he is the stand up MAN the Suns needed...mo
Posted at 2:21PM on Apr 5th 2008 by mo russell
5. I think they have a great chance of going all the way. They just need to play good D and stay healthy!
They are good without them but with Bynum and Gasol in the line up they are great, I think they can get it done! I have faith in them. Go Lakers!
Posted at 2:30PM on Apr 5th 2008 by mom4joe
6. Put them up against the Pistons.Another 5 game sweep,just like 2004.
Posted at 2:42PM on Apr 5th 2008 by Sean Taylor
7. This headline seems pretty 'out there' without the stats to back it up. Regardless of what the stats geeks contrive together, we all pretty much know the answer: yes, the Lakers offense is 'stoppable'...even with Pau. Against Boston, for example, I think the triangle would have some trouble.
Posted at 3:13PM on Apr 5th 2008 by Ryne Nelson
8. 5 games is NOT A SWEEP, you genius.
Posted at 3:41PM on Apr 5th 2008 by Dave Martin
9. The Lakers aren't making it out of the West. Are we forgetting they have Kobe on their team? Not good enough.
Posted at 3:42PM on Apr 5th 2008 by Buvi Duvi
10. OK JKLickus99, Portland (an athletic up and coming team in the west) and Dallas (1 year removed from the NBA Finals) don't exactly sound as imposing as some of the other teams in the West, but can you name one team in the West that can get past the Lakers in a 7 game series?
We have already proved that we can beat Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, Utah, Denver and Golden State. New Orleans has yet to face us as the complete Lakers team that we can be. Our last game against them was when Gasol got hurt in the opening minutes and we wound up losing that game.
With Gasol back and hopefully a fully rehabbed Bynum by the time we get to the second round of the playoffs, ain't no one going to stop us.
Posted at 4:00PM on Apr 5th 2008 by NachoD
11. Kareem was with the Bucks for many years including the big O in the same team but no rings then he went to Lakers and the rest is history.
with Gasol 17- 3 and the 3 teams they lost, they avenged ; Now with Gasol 2-0, without 5-4 Gasol and LA perfect together and last but no least:
2002 Rookie of the year
2006 Champions of the World .
Like I said Gasol and LA perfect together including Kobe in it.
Posted at 5:31PM on Apr 5th 2008 by frank
12. In fact, Shaq was with the Orlando Magic for many years with a very good cast Penny and Co. closed but no cigar then he went to the Lakers and the rest is history.
Kg was with Minnie for 12 years and then he went to ooooops wrong team, sorry.
Posted at 5:41PM on Apr 5th 2008 by frank
13. By the way the Lakers do not Bynum this year ( chemitry) but they will welcome Ariza if healthy that will be excellent if Ariza is healthy.
Posted at 5:52PM on Apr 5th 2008 by frank
14. The reason they do not need Bynum has to do with chemistry and rhythm , even do Bynum is a great prospect this is not the year to jump in the configuration as such but Ariza ( will replace Kobe, later) has the tools to adapt himself to the team quickly and produce positive results.
Posted at 6:01PM on Apr 5th 2008 by frank
15. Lakers will make it out of the West because as it has been said, no one will take best of 7 from them....especially Dallas with that whining dirty player, Jerk...errrr, I mean Dirk!!!! he can't play "D" so he hurts people...and then he whines to the refs.....
Posted at 6:52PM on Apr 5th 2008 by Kirk Kelley
16. Frank, Kareem and Oscar won the NBA title in 1971. TZ, Pau did not play in the Feb 3rd game against Washington. And yes, there aren't many defenses in the league that will be able to contain the Laker offense over a seven-game series.
Posted at 9:49PM on Apr 5th 2008 by The Dude Abides
17.
" but can you name one team in the West that can get past the Lakers in a 7 game series? "
For a team that has not made it to the 2nd round in over 3 seasons, your optimism is cute.
Posted at 11:03PM on Apr 5th 2008 by DM
18. Every top team in the West has spanked another good team or two and been spanked by a crappy team or two. Laker fans seem to feel its their divine right to win a championship, so I can't wait to see Jack Nicholson's shocked face when some other team knocks the Lakers out BEFORE the Finals.
Posted at 4:12AM on Apr 6th 2008 by marcel
19. Offense doesn't win seven game series: ask the Suns. Spurs win it again.
Posted at 6:33PM on Apr 6th 2008 by tobrien28
20. I feel that Gasol's postitive impact on the Lakers' offense will be more than enough to carry them through the playoffs. It would be nice to get Bynum back, but if he does not come back, the Lakers will be fine.
Posted at 8:17PM on Apr 6th 2008 by The Tackler