The Los Angeles Lakers changed their defensive scheme this season, and it is bringing out the best in Luka Doncic. The Slovenian superstar is on an incredible offensive heater to start this season, which has taken the focus away from his defense. Doncic is competing on every possession. The Lakers even released a stat about Luka’s defense on 2-point shots being elite, but it is the increased aggressiveness that has done wonders for The Don.
The Lakers have played an extremely switch-heavy scheme since Luka was acquired, and that is not ideal. Doncic is 6’8 with a high basketball IQ. He has the size and strength to hold his own defensively. LA can’t let him get switched onto quick guards or be relentlessly hunted in mismatches. The emphasis on aggressiveness has everyone flying around and lets Doncic’s strength come out.
Luka is averaging 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocks to start this season, which are both career-highs. His commitment to his conditioning has helped on the defensive end, as has acquiring Walker Kessler. The big man is the key to the Lakers' new scheme working.
Luka Doncic needed Walker Kessler to improve his defense
The Lakers are picking up full-court more and have increased their willingness to create turnovers. They want to generate steals and get out in transition for easy buckets. This defense allows Doncic to use his high basketball IQ to make plays. It also forces the Lakers to scramble around, which can keep Luka out of a problematic matchup. None of this is possible without Kessler.
The Don has been asking for a rim-protecting center since he arrived at the 2025 trade deadline. Kessler is one of the best in the league. The 7’2 big man is a rim deterrent. He challenges shots, rebounds well, and controls the paint. LA keeps him near the rim and lets everyone else create chaos.
It is impossible to pick up 94-feet or gamble for turnovers without a rim protector. No NBA team wants to give up a parade of easy buckets at the basket. It is why having a big man is so important. The Lakers gave up two first-round draft picks and two swaps to solve this problem.
Luka is playing his best defense, and the Lakers are 7-2 to start this season. The new-look roster has allowed for this change, but they still need to improve.
Lakers still need to be better defensively
This is not the best version of this squad. They have nine new players and are still figuring things out. Credit to head coach JJ Redick for changing the defensive scheme to maximize his star. He is starting two wing defenders next to Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Kessler. That has helped, but the Lakers still need to be better.
The purple and gold are 21st in defensive rating and 3.1 points per 100 possessions from being in the top ten. Being in the top ten in offensive and defensive rating is a hallmark of a title contender. The Lakers have the best offense in the league. That alone is giving everyone title hopes, but the defense must improve.
This is a work in progress. The rotations are not crisp enough, and the gambles can be too wild. The Lakers want aggressiveness, but it can’t turn into foolishness. They have to pick their spots and stay locked in on the scheme.
There have been moments. They held the Clippers to 87 points. There were games where Sacramento and Golden State scored 105 or fewer against the Lakers. That is a positive sign.
The purple and gold don’t have the consistency yet, but the upside is there. Give this group time to settle in and iron things out. Coach Redick is known for making the whole greater than the sum of the parts. He is already maximizing his superstar.
Luka Doncic is making his case as the best player on the planet
Luka is averaging 38.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.8 steals in 35.6 minutes per game to start this season. He is hitting an absurd 5.9 3-pointers each night and just missing the 50-40-90 club. Doncic has been unguardable to start the season, to go with his defensive improvements.
Luka should be the MVP frontrunner at this stage. There are no holes in his game. He generates turnovers, plays stout defense inside the arc, and is locked in on both ends of the floor. Doncic isn’t suddenly becoming Alex Caruso, but he is proving to be an above-average defender in this scheme. The Lakers don’t need elite. They just can’t have Doncic being a liability defensively.
Those concerns should be gone. The scheme highlights Luka’s strengths and mitigates his weaknesses. He just needs to give effort and trust his teammates. The group has a lot of new faces, but is already connected. Doncic deserves plenty of credit for that, as the preseason trip to Slovenia did wonders.
Luka Doncic looks like the best player in the world to start this season. He is the best scorer and shot creator with no weaknesses. Doncic isn’t even letting his issues with the referees impact his defense.
He is locked in and ready to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a championship. The addition of Walker Kessler and the changes to the defensive scheme are doing wonders on that end of the floor. Luka is a walking elite offense. All LA needed was the D. Expect it to continue improving. The positive signs will soon turn into consistent production. Just give it time.
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