Los Angeles Lakers Report Card: First Quarter Player Grades

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: The Los Angeles Lakers huddle before the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 29, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: The Los Angeles Lakers huddle before the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 29, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 27: Josh Hart (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

SG/SF Josh Hart (Rookie/Villanova)

You have to commend Josh Hart’s ability to shut down lanes and guard opponents. The Villanova product made himself known for stopping opposing ball handlers, presented by his 2017 Big East Defensive Player of the Year. Hart is quick to move laterally and shift on opposing players. He posts a 101.9 defensive rating (fifth on the team) and is living up to his two-way play… sort of.

Hart still has trouble making a shot, which was not an issue for him in college. After shooting over 40 percent from three-point land and 57 percent overall at Villanova, Hart is on the fringes of 40 percent on field goals and just under 24 percent from deep.

He has been demoted and brought up from the G-League on a few occasions. The first rounder is still making heavy progress, but he is heading in the right direction with his jump shot and lock-down defense.