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3 biggest Lakers issues that will lead to massive ’22-23 disappointment

By Jason Reed

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: Injured Anthony Davis #3 (left) and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers sits on the bench during their game Golden State Warriors in the first half at Chase Center on April 07, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: Injured Anthony Davis #3 (left) and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers sits on the bench during their game Golden State Warriors in the first half at Chase Center on April 07, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

2. The Los Angeles Lakers are bad defensively

The Los Angeles Lakers rode their defense to win the championship in 2020 and make the playoffs in 2021. Then the team decided to trade two of its most important defensive pieces for Russell Westbrook and allow its best perimeter defender to sign with the Chicago Bulls, instead signing Talen Horton-Tucker.

The Lakers have at least righted that wrong a bit by bringing in Patrick Beverley, who does make a big difference on the perimeter. However, he is still not as good as Alex Caruso.

Beverley alone is not enough to fix the defensive woes that the Lakers have. Having Beverley and Davis as a perimeter/paint tandem is a really good start but the pieces around them simply are not good enough and will be exposed in key situations.

Westbrook makes far too many defensive mistakes in key moments, LeBron James hasn’t played defense in five years (in the regular season) and neither of the centers the team has really add that much of a defensive impact.

There is some potential in the role players the Lakers brought in but even if everything goes perfectly, they are not going to have an above-average defensive role player. That is a problem.

Defense wins championships. It sounds corny but it is the truth. The top two teams in defensive rating last season made the NBA Finals with the top team, the Golden State Warriors, winning it all.

The Lakers do not have to be the best defensive team in the league but they can’t expect to make it far if they rank 21st in defensive rating, which is where they ranked last season.

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