Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Weaknesses heading into 2017-18 regular season

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with referee Ed Malloy #14 during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on January 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Lakers won 120-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with referee Ed Malloy #14 during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on January 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Lakers won 120-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Weaknesses heading into 2017-18 regular season
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 29: Brook Lopez #11 of the Brooklyn Nets blocks a shot by Jeff Teague #0 of the Atlanta Hawks during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 29, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Interior Defense

The defense was a struggle for the Lakers last season. They couldn’t stop a cold, let alone an opposing NBA offense. They allowed teams to shoot 48.3 percent from the floor and surrendered 111.5 points per game; the third worst mark in the NBA. Where they really struggled was defending inside the three-point line, and that looks like it will continue this season.

Last season the Lakers allowed teams to shoot 53.6 percent on two-point shots. They have improved their perimeter defense by bringing in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope but could see some struggles on the interior still.

Lopez can protect the rim some, as he averaged 1.7 blocks per game last season; no player on the Lakers averaged even 1.0 per game. However, Lopez is not an overly imposing player on the inside. Players are not afraid to attack him; ask his new teammate, Larry Nance Jr.

Lopez will improve the Lakers at the rim based on sheer size alone. However, his lack of mobility will hurt them in other areas. Lopez is a lumbering center, so he can be easily attacked in the pick-and-roll. He isn’t a great anchor a defense, one of the only two teams to allow more points than the Lakers last season was the Brooklyn Nets, the team Lopez is coming from.

Lopez was slightly better than Mozgov based on Defensive Box Plus/Minus but is worse than Black and Zubac. It could be another long season for the Lakers trying to stop teams on the inside.