Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said a recent in-game exchange exposed how far the team must go to tighten its defense, revealing that a seldom-used player did not recognize the term “flood,” a basic concept that shifts extra defenders to the ball side.
“We had a guy the other day who hasn’t played a lot, who didn’t know what a flood was in the middle of a game,” Redick told reporters, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic. “We clearly have some room to grow in that area.”
The admission comes amid a rough stretch for Los Angeles. The Lakers were routed by the Phoenix Suns, 24 points behind while conceding 59 percent shooting overall and 49 percent from three-point range. Through the same span, the club sits 24th in defensive rating and ranks last in opponent three-point percentage. Los Angeles is also near the bottom of the NBA in points off turnovers allowed and overall defensive field-goal percentage.
Without a roster stocked with individual stoppers, Redick has emphasized collective precision and effort—areas undermined by the misunderstanding he cited. From guarding the point of attack to protecting the rim and securing rebounds, the Lakers have delivered only brief flashes of consistent defense.
Front office monitoring trade market
With internal fixes proving elusive, team executives are evaluating trade possibilities for perimeter help. League sources have linked Los Angeles to defensive-minded wings such as Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans and Keon Ellis of the Sacramento Kings, contingent on availability and asking price.
No deals are imminent, but Redick’s anecdote underscores the urgency for either schematic improvement or roster changes if the Lakers hope to climb the standings.
Source: Lakers Nation
