Since the start of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers have been criticized for losing the defensive intensity that helped them win the title back in 2020.
“The Lakers can’t [defend],” said NBA analyst Rich Bucher on ‘On the Ball.’ “Let’s just look across the board. After Anthony Davis there isn’t a quality defender on the team, particularly on the perimeter.
Russ Westbrook – subpar defender. Rajon Rondo – now is subpar defender. Carmelo Anthony – subpar defender. DeAndre Jordan – subpar defender, otherwise he’d still be in Brooklyn. Kent Bazemore average defender. Malik Monk – at best average defender.
Avery Bradley made his name as a defender but at this point that was then and this is now. Austin Reaves – seriously subpar defender. I don’t know if Dwight Howard can still defend. But when there’s now resistance on the perimeter and he’s approaching his 36th birthday, he assuredly can’t move well enough to cover up the deluge of wings and point guard that are running rampant in the paint.”
It’s been a recurring theme for the Lakeshow so far this season but, according to Rockets coach Stephen Silas, he’s still afraid of the Lakers’ potential on defense, citing the enormous talent they have available on that end of the floor.
“I’m deathly afraid of their defense. They’re so big and long and experienced and can cover for each other,” Silas said, via Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times. “…When you have that size, when you have DJ [DeAndre Jordan] and Dwight [Howard] and then you have LeBron [James] and AD and then Russ [Westbrook], it’s hard not to be a really disruptive defensive team.”
On paper, L.A. has everything they need to be a quality defensive team and it’s clear that they still get major respect on that end from their competitors — even if some aren’t yet sold.
Either way, with so many veterans and stars, the Lakers are more than capable of taking care of business.
