Lakers turning games into losses

The Lakers are still struggling to implement Coach Mike Brown’s hybrid Princeton offense. On the plus side, the team is shooting an impressive 49.8% from the field.

Obviously by the 0-3 record, something is not working.

If the Lakers are falling apart nightly, it’s because of turnovers.

Through three games, the team is averaging 19.7 turnovers a game while their opponents are at 12.0.

The Lakers would like to be a better defensive team and they will be eventually this season. It’s difficult to play defense when turnovers are feeding the other team’s fast break.

So far the biggest culprit has been Kobe Bryant with five a game. Metta World Peace (3.7) and Dwight Howard (3.3) aren’t far behind him.

In just one game, second-year guard Darius Morris had two turnovers in less than 13 minutes. Pau Gasol is at a slightly more reasonable 1.7.

Point guards Steve Nash (1.5) and Steve Blake (1.3) have been a lot stronger than their teammates. Nash is currently out at least a week with a non-displaced leg fracture.

Once the team gets more comfortable in the offense, the turnovers will dip. In general, the Lakers may not be as athletic as some of the younger teams in the league. They simply can’t afford to give the ball away at such a high clip.

Naturally, it’s something Brown and the team is working on, but until the offense becomes more instinctual and Nash returns to the lineup, the Lakers may continue to turn the ball over.

The Lakers host the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Detroit has forced 17 turnovers a game through two games this season.

ALSO:Analyst Kurt Rambis sees virtue in Lakers offense, Part I

Analyst Kurt Rambis sees virtue in Lakers offense, Part II

Steve Nash out at least a week with non-displaced leg fracture

You can email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.