Will the Lakers look better on the defensive end?
This question is what’s going to haunt Los Angeles deep into the regular season if something doesn’t change. Yes, it’s just the preseason, but the Lakers’ defense during the preseason is a serious concern if they hope to earn their second NBA title in three seasons. Sure, they can score. However, it’s not so clear that can defend.
We’ve all heard the phrase ‘defense wins championships’ and it’s about to be put to the test. The Lakers took on the Warriors on Friday night in San Francisco, so the defense should have a better idea of what to fix prior to Tuesday’s matchup. This issue doesn’t need to be one that carries over into the regular season, but it seems as if that will be the case.
Los Angeles was known for its perimeter defense the past couple of seasons, but all of the players that led that charge are now gone. Bazemore has already proven his abilities on defense and after losing Talen Horton-Tucker for an extended amount of time due to a thumb injury, the Lakers’ defense is severely lacking.
Vogel is feeling the weight on his shoulders, but if he can start with getting Westbrook to buy in to his defensive scheme, Los Angeles will have the chance to work from the ground up. It’s a long season, but with a stacked Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers won’t be able to only rely on their offense to scrape by. Who’s going to step up and help Bazemore tonight on the defensive end?