Luke Walton explains how to improve Lakers poor defense

Los Angeles Lakers had high expectations coming into this season, but those expectations were hit with a dose of reality. The team is currently near the bottom of the Western Conference with a 2-5 record.

Lakers didn’t perform that bad as a 2-5 record would suggest because they have been outscored by a total of only 2 points in those seven games.

Offensively they are clicking, with a lot of talented ball handlers and capable scorers. They are 7th in offensive efficiency, the team is playing fast and attractive, and they are leading the league in fast break points (25.1).

However, their biggest problems lie on the other end of the court.

Coach Luke Walton stressed that he is satisfied what the offensive output, but that they are continually struggling with same problems on the defensive end. He circled rebounding, foul trouble and lack of rim protection as focal points for improvement.

The theme of this season has been the 3-point shot, and the Lakers are solid at defending the perimeter (11 conceded 3’s per game), but they are getting torched in the paint.

Even though Javale Mcgee has been a pleasant surprise and played solid basketball, he is the only Lakers’ big man who is getting minutes. As a result of a small lineup, the Lakers are allowing staggering 56.6 points in the paint (28th in the league). On top of that, their opponents are shooting 3rd most free throws per game (27.4).

Also, the Lakers have the 6th-worst defensive rebounding percentage (70.3), which results in almost 14 second-chance opponent points.

Walton continued that a top 10 defense is their goal for the season, and admitted that they are far away from that at the moment. It will certainly be a tall task, as the Lakers are currently 23rd in defensive efficiency and 29th in total points allowed.

“When a shot goes up, we can’t start running,” Walton said. “We have to get back in the paint, get the ball and then run from there. … If you see someone leaking out, that’s a mistake.” – https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1057396773054898176

Lakers’ second-year shooting guard Josh Hart said: ‘’If you focus on offense and you’re not locked in on defense, you’re gonna lose.” -https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1057388900241436672

And that has definitely been the case so far, with too many defensive lapses, lack of focus and opponents getting to the rim with ease.

Lack of effort was something Lonzo Ball pointed out as well: “When it comes down to the last five minutes, it’s not about Xs and Os, it’s pretty much who wants it more’’ – https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1057390717834678272

In conclusion, the Los Angeles Lakers are a young, newly assembled team and it is normal for teams like that not to gel instantly. And with just a little bit of luck, their record could have been much better. But in the stacked Western Conference, the margin of error is small, and it will be interesting to see how fast they can turn things around.