Lakers' wings have been impressive on defense to start training camp
· Yahoo Sports
A couple of days into training camp, it looks like the Los Angeles Lakers' biggest focus is defense, an area in which they struggled last season. They ranked 20th in defensive rating last season, and they added a few players who are expected to help them improve on that end of the floor.
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Of course, new starting center Walker Kessler will give them the type of rim protector they haven't had since they swapped out Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic. But Los Angeles also has three new capable perimeter defenders in Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams, and as a whole, the team is starting to believe it will be a rock-solid defensive unit.
Coach JJ Redick saw a very high level of competition and effort during Wednesday's session. In fact, he said he had to cut the session short, via the Los Angeles Times.
“We had to modify the latter third of practice because these guys were just giving great effort and physicality, so we cut a couple things,” Redick said. “But it was wonderful.”
When people say the Lakers won't be anywhere close to being championship contenders, or that they could even miss the playoffs this season, the reason most commonly cited is perimeter defense. National pundits and even some fans have expressed concern for that facet of the game, but Redick said that the team's wings have stood out defensively so far in training camp.
“I would just say all our wings,” Redick said. “We talked about a line of confrontation, so picking the ball up earlier, being disruptive earlier, eating at the shot clock earlier. And I think our physicality off the ball has been really good. We worked on some squared-up reps today. Guys great effort, but it’s the entire group of … wings. Anybody that’s been out there, it’s been really good.”
Guard Austin Reaves says he's already gotten a taste of how tough the Lakers' perimeter defense could become this season.
“Let me tell you, trying to score on Matisse and Ziaire, especially with Adou [Thiero] out there too, and then Walker on the back line, is not easy,” Reaves said. “I had to deal with that all day yesterday and today, and it’s not fun. So, defensively, we’re going to be much better. Those guys compete every possession, and then everybody else, you know, fills in their roles and plays the right way. So, yeah, I see how special we can be.”
Redick has previously said that L.A. will press more fullcourt and guard opposing players tighter on the perimeter. Those are two things the team hasn't done in some time.
The first real look at the team's revamped defense will come this coming Monday, when it plays its first preseason game against the Sacramento Kings. Its regular-season opener will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Crypto.com Arena versus the Golden State Warriors.
This article originally appeared on Lakers Wire: Lakers' wings have been impressive on defense to start training camp