3. Team Defense
In the offseason, the Lakers added four excellent veteran individual defenders: Avery Bradley, Anthony Davis, Danny Green and Dwight Howard. Both Bradley and Howard had missed significant time due to injury, and nobody was certain whether they would return to form. But not only have all four performed to their own high standards, but they have also established a tough attitude that now permeates the entire roster.
Good things usually happen when a team has a coach that preaches the need to play tough defense and a superstar who does exactly that. Davis leads the NBA in blocked shots while also playing outstanding man defense against his opponent. And several other Lakers have followed his lead, including returning Lakers JaVale McGee, Alex Caruso and the rejuvenated LeBron James, who looked lackadaisical on defense last year but is playing at a much higher level this season.
Individual effort is a strong element of good team defense. Another important ingredient is communication, which has been a point of emphasis for the team.
The results have been outstanding. Not only do the Lakers rank first in points allowed per game, as noted earlier, but they are also third in opponents’ field goal percentage and fourth in 3-point percentage, third in effective field goal percentage, and first in blocked shots per game. Furthermore, it should be noted that the Lakers rank ahead of the vaunted Clippers defense in each category.
Shooters can have off-nights, but as the saying goes, “the defense never rests”.