Los Angeles Lakers: Josh Hart wants to be defensive stopper
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Josh Hart is hoping to become the team’s defensive stopper this season.
The 2017 NBA Draft was a good one for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers were big winners in the NBA Draft Lottery and turned it into an even better draft night.
All in all, the Lakers made four selections; three in the first round and one in the second. No. 2 overall pick, Lonzo Ball, has garnered a ton of hype, and rightfully so. No. 27 pick, Kyle Kuzma, has also begun building quite a solid foundation.
Both Ball and Kuzma were standouts in the Las Vegas Summer League. Ball took home the MVP award, while Kuzma won the MVP of the championship game. Both players have been discussed a lot leading up to training camp.
With training camp less than two weeks away, the young Lakers are gearing up for their first NBA season. One player flying under the radar is No. 30 overall pick, Josh Hart.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers snagged Hart with the final pick in the first round via a trade with the Utah Jazz. The Lakers sent the No. 28 pick, Tony Bradley, to the Jazz for No. 30, Hart, and No. 42, Thomas Bryant.
Unlike his fellow rookies, Hart’s summer was cut short by an ankle injury. It has put him somewhat behind the eight-ball, as he saw limited Summer League action. Despite that roadblock, Hart still has his eye on helping the Lakers come the regular season. The role he sees himself in? Defensive stopper.
Hart appeared on The Popcorn Machine Podcast with Joey Ramirez and discussed his potential role with the team. He is hoping he is the team’s defensive stopper.
"“I want to be a defensive stopper. That’s one thing, I want to go against the best players at my positions, the best guards and put myself to the test. That’s what my goals are for this year and just keep getting better.”"
Defense is one area the Lakers are hoping to improve upon this season. During the 2016-17 season, the Lakers were the easiest team to shoot on, allowing the highest opponent’s field goal percentage in the league.
The 3-and-D role is something Hart has a great chance of developing into. At Villanova Hart was outstanding on both ends of the court. In his senior season, Hart was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year, knocking down 40.4 percent of his three-point attempts.
Hart was an integral part of the Wildcats championship winning team in 2016 and was an AP All-American for the 2016-17 season. He is as ready as any prospect to contribute as a rookie given his four outstanding seasons at Villanova.
If Hart shows during training camp and preseason that he can provide a defensive spark, Luke Walton will find a spot for him in the rotation.
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The first two games of the season will be very important for the start of Hart’s NBA career. With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope suspended, the Lakers will have a lot of minutes open at shooting guard. Hart should get some of those minutes, and if he plays well, he should remain in the rotation for the foreseeable future after that.