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Los Angeles Lakers: How will the new backcourt perform on defense?

By Addam Goldman

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a picture with his jersey during a press conference at Staples Center on August 10, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a picture with his jersey during a press conference at Staples Center on August 10, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Two storylines headlined the Los Angeles Lakers offseason:

  1. The Lakers are too old.
  2. The Lakers revamped roster might be better on offense but will struggle on defense. (This wasn’t as big a storyline, but it is the most important narrative because, you know, defense wins championships even in today’s three-point crazy NBA.)

Last season, the Lakers ranked number one in the NBA in defensive rating but lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs after Anthony Davis suffered a leg injury. Rob Pelinka then made some very un-Rob Pelinka-esque reactionary moves in the offseason.

Rob Pelinka sliced up the Los Angeles Lakers guard rotation:

  • Rob Pelinka let Alex Caruso (8th overall in defensive rating, minimum 15 MPG) walk.
  • He traded Kyle Kuzma (who isn’t a guard, but played excellent perimeter defense, eventually finishing the season ranked 27th overall in DEFRTG), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (35th in DEFRTG among all guards), and Montrezl Harrell.
  • In the trade, he got back Russell Westbrook (223rd in DEFRTG, right behind defensive stalwart Danilo Gallinari).
  • Rob Pelinka decided not to resign Wesley Matthews (24th in the NBA in DEFRTG).
  • He didn’t bring back starting point guard, Dennis Schroder.

So, the question we’re here to answer is: What should Lakers fans expect from the revamped backcourt on the less glamorous side of the ball?

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