Los Angeles Lakers: 5 reasons Avery Bradley needs to be in starting lineup

(Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)

1. He can play defense

New Lakers head coach Frank Vogel is a defensive-minded coach, and it appears he wants players who will contribute at both ends of the floor.

Green is a strong defender of elite offensive wings, but the team needs someone who can defend opposing point guards as they advance the ball upcourt and set up their team’s offense.

Bradley can do that.

When healthy, he’s perhaps the equal of the Los Angeles Clippers Pat Beverly in that regard, without the arrogance and trolling.

By pressuring opposing point guards as they bring the ball upcourt, the Lakers can force teams into their halfcourt offense and make them look for a shot with less time on the shot clock, which will make it easier to deny the other team a good shot opportunity.

No one else on the Lakers’ roster has the ability to do that.

With Bradley as a point-of-attack defender, Green checking the other team’s best scorer on the wing and Davis, McGee and Howard defending the paint, the Lakers should have the ingredients to become a great defensive team.