Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons to remove J.R. Smith from the rotation

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 22: JR Smith #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half in Game Three of the first round of the playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 22, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. He doesn’t play defense

One of the reasons the Los Angeles Lakers have gotten this far is a team-wide commitment to defense. It starts with Vogel, who has always been known as a defensive-minded coach, dating back to his days with the Indiana Pacers.

Basketball is a team game, and that fact is especially evident on the defensive end, where all five men must be “on a string” at all times.

There’s an old saying that you’re only as strong as your weakest link, and Smith is one of the Lakers’ weakest defenders.

Perhaps if L.A. were getting a 25-year-old or 30-year-old Smith, he’d be able to be at least passable on D. Instead, he’s 35 and over the hill.

Smith was never even a very strong defender to begin with. Maybe in his prime, he wasn’t terrible, but by his mid-30s, most NBA guards and wings have fallen off dramatically in their ability to stay in front of their man.

If Smith was once a good defender, at best, he’s mediocre at best now. I can’t exactly imagine him making things hard on Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro or Jimmy Butler.

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