LA Lakers Lose Big In Oakland

November 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 111-77. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The LA Lakers traveled to Oakland in the hopes of defeating the Golden State Warriors — well, that did not happen.

In fact, the Lakers were completely dismantled by the defending champions, losing by 34 points.

Byron Scott wanted a better effort from his players, and it simply did not happen.

If you remember Kobe Bryant’s post-game comments after losing to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, he wanted the Lakers to incorporate more ball movement.

Ball movement…what is that?

Here’s what went wrong.

The Lakers only had 16 assists on 31 made field-goals as a team.

The offense was motionless, players were standing around, and why is Brandon Bass holding the ball for so long on the perimeter?

D’Angelo Russell was supposed to be the Lakers’ point guard of the future, running the offense smoothly.

But how can he achieve this when the Lakers shoot 42% from the field, and 32% from long-range.

Russell is averaging 3.2 assists per game, and only managed to record six assists on two occasions this season.

The lead guard position simply isn’t producing, providing only a total of 5.4 assists, both from Russell and Lou Williams combined.

Bryant is the highest assist leader on the team with 3.6 per game.

Rebounding was another issue albeit only being out-rebounded by four.

However, it is on the offensive glass where the Lakers struggled allowing Golden State to grab 12 offensive rebounds.

The Lakers’ starting unit could not keep up with the Warriors, scoring only 28 points.

The bench pitched in 49 points; one of their better outings.

Scott’s rotation is also a cause for concern, as it is inconsistent, and Kobe’s minutes are poorly managed.

Bryant will play the first eight minutes of the game, then play in four minute stretches in the second quarter, and this pattern is repeated in the second half.

I just don’t see this as an efficient way to use Kobe.

Tarik Black only played in the fourth quarter, playing in his seventh game of the season.

Tarik is an energetic player and a big body down-low who likes to get physical.

However, Byron Scott simply isn’t giving the youngster a chance to showcase his talents.

Brandon Bass is not the right option as he is very under-sized at the center position.

Black would be a better option, with Bass playing at the four, and this would at least give the front-court some much needed size off the bench.

What can the Lakers do to attempt to right the ship albeit in a lost season? Allowing the youngsters to play together is one option.

Anthony Brown has been spending time in the NBA Development League, and he deserves a shot to crack the rotation.

He’s shown in pre-season that he is the Lakers’ best defender.

Ryan Kelly has disappeared from the rotation, and Robert Sacre has been on the inactive list for a while now.

It is time for Byron Scott to make a change to his starting lineup and this is the one that I believe would more fun to watch – D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Anthony Brown, Julius Randle, Roy Hibbert.

Bottom Line: Grow from the ground up.

Call me crazy but I believe that bringing Kobe off the bench would help his efficiency, and he will lead the second unit as the bench has no clear leader.

In a lost season, all the Lakers can do is develop their young talent, and prepare themselves for the post-Kobe era.

And after that, just hope for the best.