Anthony Davis can attest to this…He can’t help a team with bad transition defense!
This is not saying the Lakers did not try, but they were awful in execution. Anthony Davis can relate to this because the Pelicans are one of the worst teams in the NBA in defensive efficiency. In other words…
They do not get back on defense. Against Golden State, the Lakers did not either. Plus the defensive rotations were absolutely awful.
Forget the moves that Stephen Curry put on Zubac. Good luck with anyone stopping Curry off the dribble much less a center. Pay attention to the ease Curry had going to basket. No defensive rotation to protect the guy that is supposed to be rim protecting.
This is not fair to Zubac. If the Lakers require him to double team with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, there needs to be somebody back to put a body in front of Curry to contest. Either KCP rotates over and the Lakers take a chance on Cousins shooting a three or Michael Beasley has to rotate over to contest.
The Lakers allowed Klay Thompson to go nuts again in the first half giving up 23 points. After the 44 points he laid out in the Staples Center, I thought he was going to get another limo piece in this post.
But the Lakers allowed the Warriors to get out and run anytime they wanted and it killed the Lakers chances. Plus other defensive breakdowns.
Klay Thompson would go baseline with little resistance.
Or Durant would backdoor the Lakers and dunk on them.
Or just the Lakers would jog back while the Warriors turned defense to offense.
Many times NBA fans will hear about teams being selfish and not sacrificing. Most think it’s all about the offense. You can be selfish as a defensive player as well.
The Warriors won this game on the defensive end and the Lakers lost it the same way.