GeneralNash wrote:At this point Blake's play is just bonus points. You can't depend on him scoring 15 points a game consistently, let alone 20 points. You can however count on a healthy Nash bringing 15 a game..and 8-10 assists. Nash's D won't be more of a detriment as Blake.
A lot of guys think the Lakers are playing better D without Kobe...and come on the D has been terrible since Nash's departure in the last few games before Kobe went down. The evidence: look at how many points this team allowed in games with Kobe(before he went down). It was ridiculous and Nash wasn't in the game...so you can't blame Nash in those few games where Kobe was playing.
Regardless the point production needs to come from Dwight and Gasol. More so Dwight actually at this point. Dwight is the leader and he is THE MAN now. Blake's D hasn't been better than Nash's D. It's just that Howard is masking Blake's defense now that he's a lot healthier. All Blake has to do is let him go by and they won't do anything with D12 down there.
A fully motivated and healthy Howard is by far the most important thing on D. Then all you need is guy's who try and don't give up easy stuff with the rest of the guys. That's what Dwight had in Orlando. Also, Gasol is moving so much better is no longer the big liability on D when he had the injury issue.
