The Los Angeles Lakers have officially moved into the Luka Doncic era. Early indications from training camp suggest that the team may have assembled the perfect support system for their superstar. The emphasis is on defense.
For the first time since the 2017-18 season, the Lakers will start without LeBron James. His departure has allowed the Lakers to reconfigure a roster previously built around him for almost a decade.
Instead of seeking another superstar as a replacement, the Lakers chose to surround Doncic and Austin Reaves with players ready for hard work at both ends of the court. Just two practices into training camp, the team’s revamped defense is already noticeable.
“Let me tell you, trying to score on Matisse and Ziaire, especially with Adou out there too, and then Walker on the back line, is not easy,”Reaves said.
Reaves highlights Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, and Adou Thiero for their defensive prowess. With a 7-foot-2 center, Walker Kessler, defending the rim, scoring against this team is challenging.
Reaves believes these new additions could be pivotal for the Lakers as they aim for an NBA championship. He mentions, “Defensively, we’re gonna be much better. Those guys compete every possession and everybody else fills in their roles and plays the right way. I see how special we can be.”
Luka Doncic is now the franchise’s main focus. As a five-time All-Star, he led Los Angeles to 53 victories in his first full season, earning a second NBA scoring title and first-team All-NBA honors.
Building around Doncic requires more than offensive power. Last season, the Lakers finished 20th in defensive rating and tied for 22nd in blocked shots. They also struggled in rebounding, making defense and size critical offseason priorities.
The team’s front office addressed these needs by acquiring Kessler in a trade with the Utah Jazz and signing perimeter defenders like Thybulle and Quentin Grimes. Additionally, Williams joined the team, providing head coach JJ Redick with several defensive options.
Kessler could be crucial. Known as one of the NBA’s best rim protectors, he has ranked in the top five for blocked shots across three seasons. His presence should enable the Lakers’ perimeter defenders to be more aggressive.
Kessler commented, “Listen, I think we’re going to be a nasty defensive team. I think people aren’t taking into account how good our perimeter defense is going to be.”
This strategy aims to empower Doncic, allowing him to focus on offense while teammates excel at defending, rebounding, and creating turnovers. Kessler believes aggressive perimeter defense simplifies his tasks.
“Having those guys that can steal the ball … and when they do get beat, be able to recover, it makes my job a lot easier,”Kessler said.“It’s a lot easier to block a shot when a dude has someone on his hip instead of an open lane toward the basket.”
The physical intensity in practice is evident. Coach Redick noted that Wednesday’s practice escalated to such a physical level that he modified the final part of the session. Remarkably, Thybulle recorded seven steals in the first two days of practice.
There’s no guarantee that Los Angeles will become one of the NBA’s best defensive teams. Training camp is different from the seven-month grind of an NBA season, where they will face Western Conference powerhouses.
However, the Lakers have a clear plan. With James gone, the focus is on maximizing Doncic’s abilities. Offensively, this means giving him shooting support and secondary playmaking. Defensively, it involves surrounding him with reliable, capable players for tough matchups.
It’s uncertain whether this strategy will succeed until the regular season starts. Yet, Reaves already perceives potential in this defensive strategy. If it persists, the Lakers might have found what Doncic needs to lead the next chapter of the franchise.