After a recent training camp practice, Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum Sportsnet interviewed D’Angelo Russell. Their chat was all the standard fare about how camp has been going and the new atmosphere under Luke Walton, but at the beginning there was an interesting exchange:
Bresnahan: Finally started to do more offense, the first couple of days was defense, defense.
Russell: Still defense. It’s been the main focus.
Bresnahan: Really? Does that surprise you?
Russell: Not really.
Bresnahan: It surprises me. Only because Luke came from Golden State right? And you would think, “oh, you guys are just going to shoot 3 pointers all day.”
Russell: Also, well, what were they? A top 3 defensive team in the league, so, it came from getting stops.
This. This right here.
Look, I’m as excited about this year’s Lakers as anyone. I love their young players, think their veteran signings will help on the court (even if their production doesn’t really live up to the monetary value of their contracts), and believe in Luke Walton as a long term solution as head coach.
But when it comes to the team improving in the wins column, these things are less important than tangible results on the floor. And of all the ways the team can really take positive steps forward, the area which has the most room for growth is on defense. The bigger the strides, the bigger the improvement in team record we will see.
Which brings me to a telling anecdote relayed by Serena Winters of Lakers Nation:
Defensive details are a HUGE focus of Lakers training camp right now (i.e. closeouts, bumping, tagging cutters, trapping, rotations, etc.)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) September 28, 2016
And a really good question by @KamBrothers was how much learning those details makes them realize, why they were so bad on D last year….
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) September 28, 2016
To which, most everyone on the team last yr, has replied something along the lines of now they understand why they were so bad last yr…
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) September 28, 2016
This is not to pile on the former coach, but more to highlight the steps taken this season to try and improve the team defensively. As Russell went on to explain in his interview with Bresnahan, great team defense is a 5-man effort where everyone needs to be in sync. Having all 5 players “moving on a string” is the result the entire team focused not just on their individual responsibilities, but on those of their teammates so they can read how a play is unfolding and respond accordingly.
The way to accomplish this is to drill on all the finer points of a defensive possession to ensure everyone understands not just the concept, but the tactics which go into executing them. The proper angles, how to bump and tag cutters, passing off offensive players to the next man, how and when to trap, primary and secondary rotations, etc, etc.
While all the extra drilling and attention to detail is great and will make a difference, it remains to be seen how good the Lakers can actually be on that end of the floor.
In terms of the veterans, we know that Deng and Mozgov can be good team defenders who also can be at least neutral as individual defenders. We also know that, regardless of how much the team works at it, Lou Williams and whichever of Calderon or Huertas get minutes are not likely to be even average defenders at this stage of their careers. Yi was not a good defender the last time he was in the NBA, so I think the safe approach is to think that will continue until he proves otherwise.
When talking about the young players, Nance and Black are already solid defenders who can still improve into plus-ones. Ingram is a rookie, but the coaches have already praised his defense and considering his two way potential I have high hopes for him on that end. Randle, Russell, and Clarkson have been below average defenders — and that’s putting it nicely. All three have good tools to work with, but none showed any consistent ability as either individual or team defenders.
As young players, however, they’re exactly the types of guys who will benefit most from the types of things the coaching staff is teaching. They have the most room for improvement and, simply by being young and inexperienced, are the most logical guys to actually show improvement due to how much learning the league can make a difference in effectiveness.
In saying all that, though, I think the best approach is to have hopeful optimism while maintaining a realistic perspective. Even with greater emphasis on the details of defense, the young players still have a steep learning curve. And the team’s improvement will be built on how much the young players can grow. If the team can move out of the bottom 5 on that end and into the 20th to 25th range, it will be great.
How many wins that would translate to is unknown, but what I do know is if the team can actually hit the top end of that range it’s likely to be more than many are expecting.
FredP says
Better coaching and better depth will lead to a much improved defense, I like closer to 20th. Competition for playing time will help keep players focused on defense for fear of being replaced. Much of the poor defense was due to poor positioning and lack of understanding of how to help each other. Lastly, I expect the transition defense to have the most improvement leading to better transition offense.
adamv37 says
Seeing how horrible these guys were on defense last year was really frustrating. Clarkson has so much athletic ability but he always finds himself out of position. Randle might be undersized as a PF, but his strength and speed should make up for that single deficiency, and he showed potential guarding out on the perimeter. Russell isn’t ever going to have the same athletic abilities as the other two, but he’s a smart guy with good size for a PG, so he needs to put that to use defensively. I really do hope with a new coaching staff and system these guys can figure it out soon. There’s no reason they can’t all be at least league average defenders.
J C hoops says
It’s obvious that good defense is a result of coaching, and like the game itself, is played by the entire team together.
Focusing on stuff like rotations is probably news to players who only played for our previous coach or coaches like him.
Athleticism helps but defense is a state of mind.
Way to go Luke!
48 wins 🙂
JeffT_ says
Does the focus on defense suggest that we have definitely seen the last of Nick Young but also that Metta has a shot at making this team?
wwlofficial says
Thing with Clarkson and Russell is they have size. Size cannot be taught, effort can be. So if and when Walton seeps into their system and makes them do what he requires on D, gives them the freedom on O, we’re good baby.
Vasheed says
Nance’s lob to himself in practice was amazing! I forgot where I saw it but, there was a screen capture of Nance hanging on the rim and Zubac in the background with his mouth open with the caption “Zubac learns his teammate can fly.”
basquiatball says
I’m hopeful about the team’s development on this end.
I love that Clarkson has called himself out so clearly and repeatedly on defense. He’s put the pressure on himself to improve knowing that if he doesn’t follow through, he’ll have to face the music. And knowing his work ethic and personality I think he’s followed through with it.
How successful 1 guy can be in improving his D is another question. If he improves but nobody else does it probably wouldn’t help much, but if everybody on the team improves their awareness incrementally I think you could see an outsized improvement, as everybody complements each other’s role better. Luke’s specific efforts to this end are comforting.
If Clarkson’s vocal commitment sets an example that the rest of the team picks up you could get a very positive wave self-reinforcing improvement. It may not show itself immediately, or in this year’s ranking, but this is a much better model to improve the team than hoping each player figures it out on their own.
A Horse With No Name says
JeffT_ No to both.
A Horse With No Name says
wwlofficial Russell has great size as a point; Clarkson is a bit undersized as a two guard. But their size, collectively, is more than adequate defensively–so your point is valid. The big two guards of the league may be a bit of a problem for them (e.g. Thompson, Butler, Wiggins). I’m hoping to see Ingram get some minutes in the backcourt where his length can potentially be disruptive to the likes of Thompson et al.
A Horse With No Name says
Can’t remember where Darius wrote that Deng and Mozgov, the big FA signees, would have a hard time living up to their monetary compensation. I want to disagree with that point; not because I believe they will perform like elite players, but rather, because context is everything here. In a word, the contracts for almost every worthwhile FA were nothing short of outrageous compared to past deals (see Mike Conley’s deal). In this environment, the lakers paid market rate, or a bit above market rate out of necessity (no quality vets are coming to a team in a multi year rebuild without gettting paid). They did what they had to do to establish a credible roster. If these guys make solid contributions on the court and in the locker room, they will have earned their keep.
Vasheed says
A Horse With No Name Guys like Ezeli were paid like 7.4 million per year. I don’t think I’d consider Mozgov’s contract close to the market rate. Deng? Maybe?
Darius Soriano says
Vasheed A Horse With No Name Well, Ezeli is injured after having a procedure done on his knee. So, to be fair, I’m not sure he’s the best comp for “market rate”. His issues clearly impacted his FA value.
A Horse With No Name says
Vasheed A Horse With No Name
Ezeli was lucky to get a cut rate deal. He has little value now with his history of injuries and poor performances. There was no interest in the guy around the league. Not a valid comp at all. As to Mozgov’s deal, they did overpay. Did they have to in order to sign a starting caliber center? Absolutely. My feeling is that he is going to be a key contributor to whatever success the team has this season–so his signing will prove worthwhile. We shall see.
A Horse With No Name says
Anyone catch a bit of the Blazers/Jazz last night? Boy, Porty is looking good. Great coach (Stotts) and excellent GM (Neil Olshey) have fashioned a competitive, exciting playoff team out of bits and pieces that looks a lot like the GS offense–only faster. Very impressed.
Vasheed says
Darius Soriano Vasheed A Horse With No Name
We could say similar things about Mozgov though.
Darius Soriano says
Vasheed A Horse With No Name Yes and no. Yes, he was injured last season and that impacted his play. No, in that by the end of the season he was, from the reports I read, healthy. He played for his national team this summer and is ready to go heading into camp.
I recently listened to a podcast with Brian Windhorst and he basically said Mozgov was ready to go by playoff time last year but the trade for Frye and the way the Cavs had reshaped their identity playing smaller had left Mozgov without a role to fill. Windhorst also said he thought the Lakers had “done due diligence” on Mozgov’s knee.
The red flags around Ezeli, I have head, were much more concerning going into free agency and I think we saw how that played out in him being one of the last FA’s inked and at a value much lower than what many thought he would get.
This is in no way to defend Mozgov’s contract. I just don’t think pointing to Ezeli’s deal as a “value” signing is the right approach considering his enduring health issues.
david-h says
darius: what id I like to see tonite versus sacto:
ball movement
spacing
tenacity on defense
and a surprise or two.
Go lakers
lil pau says
Is anyone up for a Lakers viewing party tonight? Anywhere within a few miles of Hollywood would work for me.
Clay Bertrand says
Vasheed A Horse With No Name
The best MARKET COMPARISON for Mozzy is the Ian Mahinmi contract IMO. Both guys are lmost the same age, with Mozzy being 4 months or so older. Both guys are career back ups. Both guys left their teams to sign 4 year $64 million deals.
Mozgov’s best statistical NBA year was year before last where he averaged 10.6 pts on .590 shooting and 6.9 rebs 1.2 blks. Mahinmi’s best year was last year where he averaged 9.3 pts on .587 shooting, 7.1 rebs and 1.1 blocks.
These guys’ best years are nearly identical. Mozgov does have more playoff and Finals experience although Mahinmi’s early years w the Spurs gave him exposure if not many minutes in the playoffs.
It could be argued that the Lakers SET THE MARKET for mediocre 30 year old back up Centers and that this is why the contracts mirror eachother. Fair point I’d say. However, if Mozgov’s contract was a grossly out of line as many have claimed, it would be a MARKET ANOMALY and would not be a negotiating point for other deals at all. Of course, the crazy cap explosion perhaps made negotiation less prominent in signings this off season.
Lastly on the topic, Mozgov’s injury stemmed from complications from returning too early from surgery to remove a cyst from his knee. Nothing structural was in need of repair. TOTALLY different from the Ezeli situation where he is a young big with known knee issues. I was once an Ezeli fan but his injury history and knee situation quickly soured me.
GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A Horse With No Name says
Clay Bertrand Vasheed A Horse With No Name
Mozzy was the starting center for the Nuggets–not a career backup.
A Horse With No Name says
lil pau Aww, nice. Not in SoCal, but I’m with you in spirit!
Clay Bertrand says
FWIW, I don’t believe that Luol Deng is going to blow people away at the 3 spot defensively especially. Luol for all his instincts and work as an above average defender, has NOT been hugely successful at the 3 spot for a couple of years now. Which is why its weird to me that Mike Bresnahan keeps harping on Luol’s impending defensive impact.
The dirty little OPEN secret about Deng is that his best performances came as a Stretch 4 for Miami last year and he was quite underwhelming as a 3.
I think the Lakers best Specialty Team Defensive line up could potentially be:
PG- Clarkson
SG- Ingram
SF – Nance Jr.
PF – Luol Deng
C – Timmy Mozgov
Team D being about effort, understanding, cohesion, and most of all synergy between 5 components working together, it would seem that these are the best 5 defenders we may have. Anthony Brown could also figure into this line up if he makes the team. The fact that Nance may not be able to stay with guys at the 3 or Clarkson having not played good D in his first two years would hopefully be issues remedied by the group as a whole, their length and their rotations. The idea here being the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.
Is it ideal that our supposed starting 3 is really a past his prime 3 that is a better 4?? Heck no!! Especially with our plethora of 4s on this team.
This little storyline is going to be something to watch. If Deng can’t stay with 3s on D, we might see Ingram at the 3 a lot earlier than is being advertised. Ingram for his part has taken to heart the notion that PLAYING D will earn him minutes and he may be the best option on this team for guarding the 3 spot in a traditional line up.
The versatility is very intriguing this year.
Clay Bertrand says
A Horse With No Name Clay Bertrand Vasheed
You are correct sir. My bad. He started for the Knicks some as well I believe. I meant to communicate that both guys are not known to be elite big men by any measure. I should have said “largely career back ups.”
On the topic of Denver, I wish someone would ask Shaw to comment on Mozgov and what he brings to the table. He being the only guy who has actually COACHED him before, I have to believe the Lakers spoke to him prior to going after the guy.
Sure Luke has designs on how he might use him. But Shaw DID USE HIM and his insight would be interesting to hear IMO.
matt24 says
Similar contracts to mozgov
Noah, mahinmi, and biyombo
Only mozgov and noah are starting