As the 2017-2018 season approaches, one aspect about the Los Angeles Lakers remains certain. They will need to play better defense on a consistent basis to be taken seriously and be competitive in a loaded conference.
Over the last four seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers’ defense has been horrendous. While such a term sounds inconsiderate, it is because the team has failed to consider this important element of the game on one too many occasions.
Take a brief glimpse at last season, for example. The Lakers were dead last in the NBA with regard to team defensive efficiency. Dead last.
A number of times they were snoozing away on that end of the floor was unbelievable. It would take a high tech calculator to determine the sum.
More often than not, a majority of the lapses came for a couple reasons. First off, guys would either rotate too slowly or forget to do so completely. Additionally, in transition, the Lakers’ overall effort, in general, was rather appalling.
That is not going to cut it moving forward. It is unacceptable.
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Granted Los Angeles remains one of the youngest squads in basketball, there has to come to a point when progress ensues.
With respect to the offensive side of things, bad nights are going to happen at times. Every now and again it is inevitable to where it seems like a lid is relentlessly hovering above the rim.
Conversely, the defense is an area where one is always under control—always. Bits and pieces of luck do not factor into the equation.
It is reasonable to think, too, that Los Angeles’ youth should help to some degree. There is no excuse as to why younger players should be getting gassed out before 48 minutes have expired.
Albeit every technical nuance of the NBA takes time to figure out, the defense is reminiscent of shooting free throws. The defense simply encompasses having a steady, even-keeled mind. Going about it should not require too much thought.
Even when all else is going poorly, the “D” should never be reflective of such a trend. Immaculate results are not always going to happen, yet the best possible effort is fair to expect.
Alas, for Los Angeles, remnants of the preseason have demonstrated lackluster “D” when little is swaying in their favor.
Head coach Luke Walton addressed this at one stage earlier in the preseason. Following a blowout to the Nuggets, Walton had the following to say according to Serena Winters of Lakers Nation.
Luke Walton's biggest problem with the defense tonight was simple: "effort."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 5, 2017
Even though the defensive effort has improved over the past two contests, consistency is pivotal. Progress is being shown, yet it is not a good enough indication.
In spite of that truth, it is worth mentioning one crucial statistic from the Jazz matchup. Although the Lakers lost, they forced Utah into making 21 turnovers. Creating that kind of havoc is beautiful. As time trickles onward, this has to happen on a more frequent basis.
This is fair to put forth because the team has constantly stressed the desire to run a high tempo offense this season. Well, in order for that to occur, the defense has to be active.
It is quite cliché, indeed, but defense oftentimes produces offense.
In the Lakers’ case, this is crucial since selfless point guard Lonzo Ball (hopefully by opening night) will be running the show.
In an effort to be a fast-paced team, stops are needed. It is perhaps the primary way this team’s full potential will be unleashed. If little to nothing changes, though, the losses will continue to pile up when the games start to matter.
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Corralling rebounds after one shot, therefore, is a key ingredient to turning things around. At too many points over the last set of years (and even this preseason), the Lakers have allowed a ton of second-chance opportunities. An actual ton may not even be an exaggeration.
With that being said, the overall vibe needs to extend beyond the sheer goal of getting quick transition buckets. The Lakers’ patterns have to change to where the precursor steps to getting those hoops are focused on.
The precursor steps are not necessarily fun ones to take. Said fact aside, they are too essential of baby steps, certainly, but ones that could eventually spur great returns later on.
Thus, maintaining a steady, unwavering mindset defensively is the next major step L.A. must take. Yes, this is easier said than done beyond the shadow of a doubt. Yet it has to gradually become habitual, and, ideally, second nature.
Earlier this month, Walton talked about what it will take for the defense to clean itself up. As transcribed by Ryan Ward of ClutchPoints, the San Diego native placed emphasis on an old school principle.
Luke Walton on fastest way to fix the defense: “Drill it, drill it, drill it” no “fastest way” to do it. Stressed “repetition” #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) October 6, 2017
Repetition will not fix the years of defensive woes instantly. However, once the by-products of the defensive drills become more visible, the other kinks will not seem as imposing.
For now, though, the concentration needs to mainly (if not entirely) concern itself with “D.”
The defense has been noticeably better over the last pair of games as was said before. Such resistance will definitely be needed once the regular season commences.
In all honesty, it sometimes boils down to doing the deeds that may not appear in a box score. Even if a Laker is having an off shooting night, finding other ways to help the team is a must. Defense is the most important among the bunch.
Defense is not everyone’s favorite thing all the time. That is understandable. However, not being afraid to do the dirty work is an absolute necessity.
If the Lakers wish to crawl out of the basement in 2017-2018, putting in more work on that end should be the highest priority.
Sure, the defense is not the most glamorous, glitzy part of the game. For the sake of the team’s future, though, this type of mentality has to be established.
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Los Angeles is used to winning titles, and while number 17 may not come for another few seasons, this “baby step” may not be so babyish in the bigger scheme of it all.