Lakers Eye Defensive Help After Another Collapse
lakers-eye-defensive-help-after-another-collapse
Los Angeles — The Lakers, now 19-9, are weighing defensive upgrades after falling 132-108 to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
Los Angeles owns a 117.6 defensive rating, 24th in the NBA. None of the six teams ranked lower has reached 10 wins, a disparity that has drawn internal concern.
Head coach JJ Redick rejected the idea that preparation is the problem, telling reporters the issue is “making the choice” to defend.
“We practice this stuff enough. We review this stuff enough. We show film on this stuff enough,” Redick said. “You can sprint back or you can’t. You can make the second effort or you can’t. It’s just a choice.”
Team officials believe the current roster has a higher ceiling than last season’s group, especially with Luka Doncic more settled in Los Angeles. However, the departures of energy players such as Dorian Finney-Smith and Jordan Goodwin have been felt.
Guard Marcus Smart has emerged as a key defender. With Smart on the court, the Lakers post a 111.9 defensive rating; without him, the figure rises to 119.1.
“We’re being really bad right now, and it’s showing,” Smart said. “There’s no resistance. No urgency. JJ is right. This is on us.”
With the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaching, league sources expect the front office to investigate defensive-minded additions, echoing last year’s approach.
Source: Hoops Wire
