Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons why a title’s still likely without Avery Bradley

1. The Los Angeles Lakers have a defensive-minded coach

In his first season at the helm of the Purple and Gold, Frank Vogel has done an admirable job molding the team into a championship contender.

He has gotten them to play an exciting, crowd-pleasing style of basketball, as they currently rank second in fast-break points, fourth in offensive rating and ninth in assists per game.

But where Vogel really shines is at the defensive end.

The Lakers were a dreadfully-bad defensive team the second half of last season. But this season, they’re one of the best in that department.

Vogel has always had a reputation as a defensive specialist. In 2013 and ’14, his Indiana Pacers were tops in defensive rating, and both years they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Perhaps Vogel will tweak the Lakers’ team defense enough to compensate for the lack of Bradley’s ball-hawking defense.

It will likely require more of an emphasis on help defense, and perhaps more trapping and pressing to prevent penetrating guards from getting into the paint.

Some won’t want to hear this, but part of making up for Bradley’s absence on defense may also have to come at the offensive end.

Since the Los Angeles Lakers are arguably the league’s best running team, possess several dependable 3-point shooters and host the NBA’s best dynamic duo, they’re more than capable of doing so.