The Los Angeles Lakers have dazzled at times this season with explosive scoring and a 177 record, but their defense, once a hallmark of title contenders, has devolved into a glaring weakness that threatens their championship aspirations.
Head coach JJ Redick did not mince words this week, openly acknowledging just how problematic the Lakers‘ performance on the less glamorous end of the court has become and hinting that changes could be imminent if things don’t improve.
In the wake of a 132-119 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, a defeat that highlighted the Lakers‘ defensive vulnerabilities even against a Spurs team missing star Victor Wembanyama, Redick identified specific issues and made it clear that the status quo won’t be acceptable for much longer.
“Just didn’t do a good job of getting back in transition,” Redick said previously when asked to dissect where things fell apart, later adding that his squad’s struggles to contain opposing offenses have become “the most difficult thing for our team right now.”
Speaking with reporters on Saturday, Redick affirmed that the bulk of the work is on him as coach.
“This is my job. I’m not gonna just say, ‘Oh, we’re not going to be a good defensive team.’ No. We’re gonna scrap and claw and do everything we can to turn us into a good defensive team.”
Los Angeles currently sits 21st in defensive rating, a measure of points allowed per 100 possessions, and has been especially susceptible in transition and in the early moments of defensive possessions.
Those weaknesses have shown up repeatedly in recent games, forcing Redick to admit that execution, effort, and perhaps personnel may all need to be examined.
Defensive cracks widen amid rotation questions
Redick‘s candor extended beyond general evaluation to a frank discussion about the team’s rotation.
One player who could factor into any defensive overhaul is Jarred Vanderbilt, whose reputation as a versatile, physical defender stands in stark contrast to the Lakers‘ current struggles on that end.
While Vanderbilt has seen limited minutes recently, Redick made it clear that could change if defensive issues persist.
“If this continues, he’ll definitely get his opportunities,” Redick said of Vanderbilt on Friday, acknowledging both the player’s defensive strengths and the challenge of fitting him into a rotation that has been hard to alter during a winning stretch.
Vanderbilt‘s statistical impact when on the court supports that line of thinking: the Lakers‘ defensive rating has been notably better with him in the lineup, indicating his presence might help shore up L.A.‘s league-ranked struggles.
Another layer to the Lakers‘ quandary is the recent injury to Austin Reaves, who has been sidelined with a calf strain. His absence compounded the Lakers‘ defensive woes, particularly in the perimeter rotations where they already lacked quickness and physicality.
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