- Limit opponents to hit more than 15 feet
In the 19-20 season, the Lakers' numerical value was 36.0%;
In the 20-21 season, the Lakers' figure was 36.3%;
In the 21-22 season, the Lakers' numerical value was 36.3%;
In the 22-23 season, the Lakers' numerical value was 42.0%;
Judging from the data, the defensive efficiency of the Lakers' defensive line is in a plummeting trend. Take the 22-23 season, for example, only better than the Rockets, Celtics, Pacers, Nets and Bulls.
It can be said that the Lakers' once proud outside defense has crumbled over time.
The reason, in my opinion, is twofold:
First, management is mediocre.
Since winning the championship season, Lakers general manager Pelinka has released a number of defensive stalwarts, including Danny Green and Caruso.
Take Caruso, for example.
Although an unselected pick, Caruso has averaged a defensive true plus-minus of 2.0 in 229 games to date. In contrast, Smart, the best defensive player of the year, averaged just 1.2 per game.
It should be noted that Caruso, who has switched to the Bulls in the 21-22 season, has 63.8% of the time to defend the defense and 31.6% of the time to defend the line, which together can suppress the opponent's overall three-point shooting percentage at 45.8% and 29.9%.
From the data, Caruso has a certain ability to defend against the outside and has the possibility of swinging the defensive line upwards.
Second, the player problem.
First, as James gets older, he is bound to intentionally reduce his more physically demanding defense.
The data shows this intuitively.
During the championship season, James' true defensive plus-minus was 1.8 during the regular season and rose sharply to 3.1 during the playoffs, but in the regular season of '21-22, this true defensive plus-minus has dropped to 0.8.
The thick eyebrows at the core with James are admittedly at the peak of age but have a lot of injury risks. As a result, it is difficult to maintain high-intensity matches for a long time. Without or daring too much physical contact, this defensive efficiency is bound to decline – a downward trend of 2.6 to 2.2 to 1.2 since the championship season.
We all know that the Lakers' record in the 22-23 season is not ideal, and in my opinion, it can be roughly summarized into two points:
1. Projection;
2. Outside defense;
Regarding the first point, among the players who played at least 30 minutes in total, only the Lakers shot more than 50% from the field, reaching 50.9%.
For comparison:
Under the same conditions, there are three Spurs who are determined to swing, 52.4% of Collins, 50% of Robbie and Richardson.
In this way, it is not an exaggeration to say that the Lakers' projection belongs to the bottom of the league.
On the second point, there are the data and reasons just mentioned.
As for the solution:
First, given the lack of tacit understanding between players and the presence of Beverley, Nunn and others, it may still be possible to solve it over time.
(1) Beverley
So far in his career, he has shot 46 percent from two-point range and 37.7 percent from three-point range.
(2) Nunn
So far in his career, he has shot 53.4 percent from two-point range and 36.2 percent from three-point range.
In other words, if the two return to a normal level, they can lead the team's overall projection to a certain extent.
Regarding the second point, I think the Lakers still can't solve it internally at this stage, after all, only Beverley has a certain outside defensive ability.
But in my opinion, this is also problematic: on the one hand, Beverley is only 185 tall; On the other hand, he is 34 years old.
In other words, when facing a tonnage like Leonard and a tall forward like Durant, Beverley is difficult to effectively match him, let alone limit.
Therefore, to a certain extent, looking at the outside defense is the biggest dilemma of the Lakers at present, and it cannot be effectively solved internally.
However, the good news is that the Raptors cut Josh Jackson and the Jazz cut Stanley Johnson.
- Figure
Jackson is 203 tall and weighs 93 kg; Johnson is 198 tall and weighs 109 kilograms.
Judging by the data, both are standard forward players.
Considering that both have been cut, it can be said that the Lakers want it and are very promising. I have to say that this is really a god to help the Lakers get out of trouble.
I mean: there's finally a player on the striker.
It's just that when happiness comes too suddenly, how will Lakers general manager Pelinka grasp it?
Considering that the Lakers' 15+2 player list is full and it is impossible to sign both, then it is bound to be a 2-for-1 situation.
Regarding this, my personal understanding is that Pelinka will give priority to signing Stanley Johnson, after all, there is no problem with the tacit understanding of playing for the Lakers. In other words, you can use it.