The most important aspect of the Lakers center moves is designed to provide rim protection like during the bubble championship season. That was what was the Lakers’ biggest defensive weakness last season with Marc and Trez.
If there is a way to help our perimeter defense and compensate for the loss of KCP and AC, it’s to give the team three centers who really can block shots and protect the rim. Starting AD and filling in the middle minutes in each half with Jordan and Howard is the best way to help the Lakers new 3-point shooters defend.
Last season, with AD only playing center 10% of the time, the Lakers had terrible rim protection since neither Gasol or Harrell or Drummond were rim protectors. Lakers averaged 6.6 blocks per game in championship season (1st in league) and only 5.4 blocks per game last season (5th in the league). The rim protection in the playoffs was even worse last season, dropping from 5.3 (3rd in the league) to 4.0 per game (12th in league).
While we lost two elite perimeter defenders in Alex and Kenny, AD manning the five more and Dwight and DeAndre replacing Marc and Trezz should more than make up for the losses and even make our defense better than last season.
LakerTom says
The most important aspect of the Lakers center moves is designed to provide rim protection like during the bubble championship season. That was what was the Lakers’ biggest defensive weakness last season with Marc and Trez.
If there is a way to help our perimeter defense and compensate for the loss of KCP and AC, it’s to give the team three centers who really can block shots and protect the rim. Starting AD and filling in the middle minutes in each half with Jordan and Howard is the best way to help the Lakers new 3-point shooters defend.
Last season, with AD only playing center 10% of the time, the Lakers had terrible rim protection since neither Gasol or Harrell or Drummond were rim protectors. Lakers averaged 6.6 blocks per game in championship season (1st in league) and only 5.4 blocks per game last season (5th in the league). The rim protection in the playoffs was even worse last season, dropping from 5.3 (3rd in the league) to 4.0 per game (12th in league).
While we lost two elite perimeter defenders in Alex and Kenny, AD manning the five more and Dwight and DeAndre replacing Marc and Trezz should more than make up for the losses and even make our defense better than last season.
Buba says
I completely agree, Tom. That was exactly my thoughts when I first got DAJ’s news.