Jordan Hill has emerged as Lakers’ second-best player

Trying to sort out their worst start in 57 years, the Lakers might have uncovered a revelation.

Their second-best player is not Jeremy Lin so far. Or Carlos Boozer.

It’s Jordan Hill.

Hill signed an unexpectedly large contract during the off-season, a two-year deal guaranteeing him $9 million this season. Jordan Hill? $9 million?

The Lakers were cognizant they’d be losing Pau Gasol and not signing Carmelo Anthony, so they locked down what they were already familiar with.

Hill, though, would need to be stretched from an active and efficient 21 minutes a game to about 30 a game.

There were some doubts it could be done. Then he improved his diet, cut back sharply on alcohol and tried to perfect his mid-range jumper.

It’s working out well through four games, unlike the rest of the Lakers’ season.

While Lin and Boozer have foundered as No. 2 options after Kobe Bryant, Hill had matching games of 23 points against the Clippers and Golden State over the weekend.

“I feel the team needs me. Kobe can’t do it by himself,” Hill said. “He definitely needs help.”

Hill’s burst has helped deflect criticism from Boozer, who is averaging only 9.8 points and 5.5 rebounds. Lakers Coach Byron Scott said the Lakers simply needed to run more plays for Boozer.

Scott seemed more perplexed about Lin after the Lakers’ 127-104 loss Saturday at Golden State.

Lin’s performance to date has been “only so-so,” Scott said.

“He hasn’t been lights out. [Saturday] was another one of those games where he’s been up and down. We’ve got to try to get something out of him every single game.”

Lin is averaging nine points and shooting a woeful 34.5%.

At least there’s Hill. He’s shooting 71% from 10-14 feet and playing almost 29 minutes a game.

“I was shooting the whole time in the off-season. That’s all I’ve been focusing on,” Hill said. “I’m getting them to knock down and I feel comfortable about it.”

No ‘D’ = No ‘W’s

The Lakers are last in the league in defense. By a wide, wide margin.

They’re allowing 118 points a game, 12½ more than Brooklyn going into Sunday’s games. They surrendered a comparatively mild 109 points a game last season, which was 29th in the league.

“We’ve just got to get tougher. We’ve got to get a little bit more grittier,” Scott said after Klay Thompson burned the Lakers for a career-high 41 points.

Thompson has long idolized Bryant, and his father, Mychal, is the Lakers’ radio analyst.

But even he was hoping for something more from the Warriors this season. And something less from the Lakers.

“It’s tough to stay on top. They’ve had their great runs. I think it’s the Warriors’ turn, man,” Klay Thompson said.