sportingnews
As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for the 2026-27 NBA season, they are placing significant expectations on their newly acquired starting center, Walker Kessler. Kessler arrives in Los Angeles with much to prove, stepping into a prominent role that demands he anchor the defense against the league's most formidable big men.
During his tenure with the Utah Jazz, Kessler operated without the weight of lofty expectations. Now, he must rise to the challenge of guarding elite post players, including Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, who is widely regarded as one of the toughest matchups in the NBA.
Kessler has built a reputation as a dependable big man, particularly for his ability to defend opposing centers. While no defender can completely shut down every opponent, Kessler consistently gives his best effort against the most challenging assignments. Jokic presents a unique problem: he combines physical strength with exceptional skill, making it impossible to slow him down with brute force alone.
In the Lakers' final preseason game, a 121-106 loss to the Nuggets, Jokic delivered a stellar performance with 17 points, six rebounds, and eight assists, missing just one shot. His efficiency underscored just how difficult he is to contain, even for a capable defender like Kessler. As the primary defender, Kessler recognized the importance of learning from the encounter.
"It knocked off a lot of rust. There's a pile in my locker. There's a reason why he is who he is. He's arguably the best big in the league and best player in the league," Kessler said of facing Jokic. "I would argue Luka's better obviously for obvious reasons, but I mean he's an exceptional player. It's been a long time since I've really competed against someone like that, since November basically of last year. So definitely was nice to get that in before it actually counts."
Key Analysis
Kessler's honest assessment highlights the mental and physical toll of guarding Jokic, a player who forces defenders to adapt constantly. The preseason matchup served as a crucial wake-up call for Kessler, who now must translate those lessons into regular-season success. With the Lakers relying on him as their defensive anchor, Kessler's ability to bounce back and perform at a high level will be pivotal to the team's fortunes.
Originally reported by sportingnews.