Reason #2: The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t playing defense!
Ignore this game-clinching block for a second!
AD seals it! 🚫🚫 pic.twitter.com/UZDouxJddW
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 4, 2021
Because this was a nugget of fool’s gold (pun absolutely intended):
- The shooter, Denver guard Facundo Campazzo, is only 5’10 (AD is a foot taller!)
- Two players guarded Michael Porter Jr. 25 feet away from the basket while leaving probable MVP Nikola Jokic wide open off a fake dribble handoff
This is why we cannot judge our analysis solely based on highlights. We have to look at the entire game and the relevant statistics to back up our points.
Here’s one: the Lakers have given up 114.2 points per game in their last five losses, which would rank 21st in points allowed per game.
The Lakers have NO excuse for their poor defense!
Anthony Davis is a monster on defense with his size and length. Their perimeter defenders (KCP, Caruso, etc.) are solid. Andre Drummond was supposed to replicate what JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard brought to the Lakers last season.
Opponents feel emboldened facing the Lakers defense. Portland’s Twitter account made me wonder if Damian Lillard wanted to star in the Space Jam remake, instead of LeBron James.
welcome to the Space Jam pic.twitter.com/HLuKBcLvyB
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 8, 2021
What kind of defense is this? Kyle Kuzma waving his arms trying to scare everybody? Both AD’s trying to part the Red Sea like Moses?
This has been a problem all season long. Rim protection has always been a weakness on an otherwise top-ranked defensive outfit. As of today, the Lakers rank 19th in points in the paint allowed per game this season.
So why are the Lakers giving up so many points in the paint?
There are absolutely no excuses given the Lakers are bigger and longer than any other team in the NBA. The Lakers’ perimeter players stopped playing defense because they are assuming Anthony Davis is going to block every shot at the basket.
The bigger they are, the harder they fall.