The Lakers’ strong start has covered for an issue that has lingered all season. And that would be defense.
Los Angeles is 17-7, but the numbers underneath have been far less flattering, writes Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times. The Lakers rank 18th in points allowed at 116.8 per game, 22nd in opponents’ field-goal percentage and 27th in opponents’ three-point shooting.
They have been winning anyway. That is the concern.
Vanderbilt Sees Opening: Jarred Vanderbilt believes he can help, and the door may be open.
Vanderbilt has appeared only briefly over the past 10 games, but a rotation spot has emerged with Austin Reaves sidelined by a mild calf strain. Vanderbilt could see expanded minutes as soon as Sunday in Phoenix.
“Oh, yeah, I’m pretty eager,” Vanderbilt said after Saturday’s practice, via Turner. “A lot of the stuff we lack, I think I can help provide on that end.”
The Lakers had hoped to be in Las Vegas this weekend for the NBA Cup semifinals, but that path ended Wednesday in a loss to San Antonio in which they surrendered 132 points.
Vanderbilt’s offensive limitations have kept him on the bench, as he is averaging 4.3 points per game while shooting 43.1 percent from the field, but his defensive value could become more important if coach JJ Redick shifts the emphasis.
“It’s been a trending thing even when we were winning,” Vanderbilt said. “We were just outscoring everybody.”
Reaves Expected Back Soon: Redick said the team will be cautious with Reaves but does not expect a prolonged absence. Reaves logged nearly 40 minutes Wednesday before the calf issue was discovered.
“It’s a mild strain, Grade 1, and he’ll be out for a week,” Redick said. “Everything looks clean. It’s not in the deep part.”
The Lakers are hopeful the approach prevents a longer-term problem.
Defense the Message: Defense was the focus of a team meeting Friday, according to Marcus Smart, who said the issues are not new.
“It exposed us a lot, which we already knew,” Smart said, via Khobi Price of The Orange County Register. “The scouting report against us is we’re not guarding people.”
The message was simple. If the Lakers want their early success to mean something later, the defense has to catch up.
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