Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Tips to improve things on the defensive end

By Ronald Agers

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 29: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against Kyle Kuzma #0 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of the game on October 29, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 124-120. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 29: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against Kyle Kuzma #0 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of the game on October 29, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 124-120. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Lakers Tip #1…Have your backcourt stop something!   

It really does not matter who is in the backcourt. Doesn’t matter who starts or who finishes. The Lakers cannot stop any of the opposing guards. This applies especially in the last quarter of games and it has gone as far back as the preseason. It has not mattered who the Lakers have played this season, the Lakers backcourt have been outscored almost two to one. It seems all of the attention goes to getting out and running the fast break but no one wants to do the dirty work needed to get the fast break started.

The Minnesota Timberwolves got 20 offensive rebounds in the Lakers loss. That is a ton. This has nothing to do with a team being bigger than you. It has to do with all five guys committed to completing the possession by boxing out the big bodies and guards coming back to get the rebound.

But it’s more than that. Let’s look at some poor defensive play throughout the season…this is an example from the first game of the season…

Rajon Rondo does not move his feet and allows Damian Lillard easy access to the basket. LeBron James is late on the rotation to get the easy dunk. This has happened  on numerous occasions when Rajon Rondo has been on the floor. The Spurs had a blast cutting to the basket when Rondo turned his head watching the ball on Saturday night.

Remember that Nik Stauskas went nuts in that game too…

Oh the Lakers are bad at three-point defense as well. In the Portland highlights, the guards are getting caught watching the ball in the post and not practicing the man-ball defensive tactics. Stauskas kept moving around the perimeter while Hart lost him to knock down threes. The last two defensive miscues belonged to Lance not having a hand up the first time and losing Stauskas the second time.

The Timberwolves shot 48 percent from the three-point line which included five from Jimmy Butler alone without a miss. It would be different if the Lakers guards could score to compensate the bad defense, but that is a problem. They don’t score enough collectively not only to match the opponent’s backcourt but the STARTING back court!

The Minnesota Timberwolves hit EIGHT THREE POINTERS in the 4th quarter…don’t believe me?

That’s why your Lakers lost Monday night!

Home/Lakers News