Defense:
Something clearly lacking from last year’s Lakers team was defense. Teams scored 104.6 points against them per game last year while shooting 45% from the field. Teams also shot close to 35% from three while making 10 three pointers a game against the struggling Lakers D.
Josh Hart is going to be one of those guys that in the next two years we'll wonder how he slipped that far. Loved watching him in college.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) June 23, 2017
Hart has always been a tough defender and showed that in the biggest moments with the Villanova Wildcats. He’s a high effort defender always moving around on the floor to help out his teammates. He’s not afraid to contest shooters and doesn’t give up on plays defensively, which the Lakers will fall in love with. He plays defense with anticipation and outsmarts opposing players.
Next: Complete First Round Grades
Last season, he averaged 1.5 steals a game along with 6.4 rebounds. If Hart can provide the Lakers with solid minutes coming off the bench this season, this pick will definitely have been a steal. He will contribute with shooting, leadership, and aggressive defense which is extremely needed. Watch Hart begin his NBA journey July 7th when the summer league gets underway in Las Vegas.