latimes
Despite sitting atop the NBA standings with an 11-2 record, the Los Angeles Lakers are far from satisfied. Head coach JJ Redick emphasized that a major focus for the team is the ability to learn and improve even while winning. The Lakers carry a seven-game winning streak into Sunday's 1 p.m. PST matchup against the Phoenix Suns (5-6) at Footprint Center.
Taking advantage of a rare multi-day break between games, the coaching staff and analytics department presented slide shows to players this week, highlighting both offensive and defensive shortcomings. The detailed critiques left the team feeling as though it were one of the league's worst, joked forward Ziaire Williams.
Defensive Aspirations
Redick challenged his squad, already owners of the league's top-ranked offense, to elevate its defense to a top-10 ranking. Williams believes that goal should be the minimum standard. He pointed to the team's strong half-court defense and improved rebounding and transition play, noting that the potential is there given the roster's size, length, and athleticism. The key, he said, is execution.
The Lakers currently rank 18th in defensive efficiency but excel at forcing turnovers and protecting the rim. Their 18.5 forced turnovers per game rank third in the NBA, and their 11 steals per contest lead the league. Center Walker Kessler's 2.2 blocks per game rank third. However, the team struggles to finish defensive possessions, ranking 28th in defensive rebounding and 25th in second-chance points allowed.
After reviewing every offensive rebound allowed this season, the staff identified a lack of boxing out as the primary issue, along with instances of players standing and watching. Forward Jake LaRavia, who has been a revelation on the offensive glass since entering the starting lineup, stressed the need for physicality and effort. LaRavia has averaged 2.8 offensive rebounds over his last nine games.
Kessler has averaged 8.1 defensive rebounds during the seven-game win streak—the second-longest in Redick's head-coaching tenure—up from 6.3 in the first six games. Forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who did not play in the first four games, has grabbed 7.9 defensive rebounds per 36 minutes, the second-best rate on the team among players with more than three minutes played. Vanderbilt is averaging 3.8 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per game and had 10 rebounds in under 14 minutes against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 8.
Transition Defense and Turnovers
Transition defense is another area sinking the Lakers' defensive efforts, as opponents score 20.2 points off turnovers per game, ranking 24th. Redick attributes some of that to the team's offensive flaws. Despite having the league's most efficient offense, the Lakers turn the ball over 16.9 times per game, the fifth-most in the NBA. Luka Doncic, the league's leading scorer at 38.6 points per game, also averages an NBA-worst five turnovers per game. Austin Reaves, who is day-to-day with a left heel bruise suffered Wednesday against Milwaukee, averages 3.4 turnovers and 24.7 points per game.
Doncic is expected to play Sunday despite tweaking his right ankle late in Wednesday's game. Reaves did not practice Saturday. Guard Collin Sexton was a full participant in practice Saturday. He sported a thick bandage over his right eyebrow and bruising around his right eye after bumping heads with Milwaukee's Ryan Rollins, but said he does not expect to wear a mask. He only needs to keep the cut covered to prevent it from reopening. Sexton noted this was the 11th time in his career he has received stitches in his face.
The short break provided a valuable opportunity for rest after a grueling three-game Eastern Conference road trip. The Lakers now enter a softer stretch in the schedule. After Sunday's game in Phoenix, they play their next four at home against three teams—Charlotte, Sacramento, and Utah (twice)—that have a combined six wins. Their next game against a team with a winning record is not until Nov. 27 at San Antonio. The 11-2 Spurs, who have won 11 consecutive games, are the only team with an active winning streak longer than the Lakers'.
Originally reported by latimes.