After signing a max extension, the Los Angeles Lakers have lots driving on famous person Luka Doncic. They’re hoping to construct round him post-LeBron James, however there have been some issues about his work ethic, ensuing within the Dallas Mavericks giving up on him.
To his credit score, Doncic has purchased into the Lakers after dropping 30 lbs in the course of the summer season and appears like he’s in the very best form of his NBA profession. That alone is purpose to be optimistic, however there’s nonetheless the urgent matter of protection.
Luka Doncic should play protection like he by no means has for the Lakers
Doncic is able to being a greater defender than he’s, however he typically lacks effort on that finish of the ground. Carrying such a giant offensive load is at the least partially in charge, however he would not even do the naked minimal more often than not.
He typically falls asleep when guarding off-ball, making himself prone to again cuts. When he is arguing with a referee after a perceived non-call, his teammates are pressured to attempt to cowl for him till he lastly decides to get again on protection.
That is an unsightly look, and it infamously value him a championship by doing all of these issues in opposition to the Boston Celtics within the 2024 NBA Finals. With higher conditioning, he’ll hopefully have extra vitality to make use of on that finish of the ground.
Luka Doncic is essential to the Los Angeles Lakers protection
At his greatest, Doncic is not some defensive stopper that may swing video games. Nevertheless, shoring up their weakest hyperlink on protection will make the Lakers a lot better on that finish of the ground.
Elevating their defensive flooring would assist to boost their total ceiling. Los Angeles has already introduced in a number of strong defenders in Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and former Defensive Participant of the 12 months Marcus Good.
They need to give Los Angeles extra defensive personnel than they’d post-Doncic commerce. Possibly not high 10 good defensively however maybe high half good.
Mix that with a Doncic-led offense, which is normally ok to be high 10, and the Lakers might be surprisingly balanced on either side of the ball.
All in all, the Lakers want Doncic to purchase in defensively for them to succeed in their full potential subsequent season. If he does, then the Lakers will be capable of have a strong protection and a powerful offense, which might propel them again into title rivalry.
