The Lakers, who have high hopes, stumbled at the beginning of the season, and the current winning rate is less than 50%, what is their problem? "Open-air Stand Sports" reporter Ric Bucher analyzed the Lakers in his own program, believing that there are two reasons for the Lakers' poor defense today, the lack of excellent outside defensive players, and the aging of the lineup.
So far this season, the Lakers have conceded an average of 119.6 points per game, the worst in the league, while the Lakers have conceded 111.9 points per 100 rounds, ranking only 24th in the league. In contrast, the Lakers can score 108.6 points per 100 rounds, tied for 10th in the league. After being reversed by the Thunder in the last game, Anthony Davis has said that he is not worried about the Lakers' offense, but the Lakers' defense this season is only the lower middle level of the league and must be improved.
This is surprising and inexplicable. Coach Vogel is known for coaching defence. In the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, the Lakers' defensive efficiency ranked third and first in the league, respectively. At that time, the Lakers would worry about the offense, but never worry about the defense. This season just dropped one.
Why? Bucher believes the Lakers currently have no other outstanding defensive players in the squad other than Davis, especially the outside. He counted some Lakers players with his fingers on his fingers, believing that Westbrook, Rondo, Anthony, Rivers and Jordan Jr. were all below-average defenders, with Bazemore and Munch defending at best being average; Avery Bradley was a defensive coach but is now much worse than before.
In addition to the lack of availability on the defensive end, it is no secret that the Lakers are also facing aging problems. Bucher mentioned that Howard will now turn 36 and is no longer able to make up for it well against opposing defenders and flankers who have stormed the interior. The Lakers' first line of defense is often good, but as long as the opponent breaks through the defense, a group of veteran players in their 30s have a hard time trying to make a second or third defense, which leads to a lack of continuity in the Lakers' defense.
Of course, this situation is also related to the Lakers' successive loss of Danny Green, Pope and Caruso in recent years, who happen to be outside defenders. How the Lakers' defense should improve tests the wisdom of the team's uniform group. (Supine Braces/Hairy)