Yup. Thus far, damn well worth the signing. Luke Walton Credits Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Corey Brewer For Lakers Defensive Improvements The Los Angeles Lakers have made huge strides defensively this season a lot sooner than anyone could have expected considering they ranked dead last in defensive efficiency the last two seasons. So far through their first 17 games though, they rank fourth out of 30 teams with a defensive rating of 100.8. While one reason for it is the amount of focus head coach Luke Walton put on defense in training camp and the preseason, it also has to do with some changes in personnel. The Lakers signed one of the best defensive guards in the league this offseason in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and after Sunday night’s win over the Denver Nuggets, Walton credited both him and Corey Brewer for setting the tone defensively. “Yeah, they do a really good job. A lot of people ask about how we’ve made so far, such a big jump from being last in defense to the top five in defense,” Walton said. “A lot of it is what they’ve brought to the table those two. Being a hard-nose, being able to make the right read and switch and get after people, be the aggressors on that end of it, and they play like that in practice all the time too. I thought our young guys see what that looks like and they get a feel of what that’s like playing against each day in practice. Obviously there’s a lot of other reasons too, but that’s a big part of what’s helped change the way that we’re playing defense.” Both Caldwell-Pope and Brewer’s impact on the defensive end of the floor were on full display against Denver as they had four steals apiece. Veterans like them, Brook Lopez and Andrew Bogut were brought in specifically to help the team improve on defense, and so far early in the season it looks like they are doing their jobs as the Lakers have gone from the worst defensive team in the league to one of the best.
For the money of 1 failed defensive swingman Deng the new regime got 2 successful Dengs in Brewer and Pope. And for the money of 1 failed rim protector Mozgov the new regime got 2 successful Mozgovs in Bogut and Lopez. Plus letting go of Lou Williams as fun as has helped the defense and is allowing Clarkson to grow again as a player. Weirdly enough skinny Lonzo is an upgrade defensively over D'Angelo. Randle is improving as well in his new role off the bench. Kuzma is being empowered by the team since he looks like the second coming of Robert Horry. These are very good moves.
Excellent sequence from Ju, block, coast to coast, foul and the bucket..back in this Lol Hart with the put back dunk
Lol KCP with a hell of a shot Yeaaah BI! His body control is up 100 this season Yeeeaaah, I like this W, still able to win on a slow night against an anonymous opponent Lol KCP heart and hustle
Celtics keep on winning, 16 in a row Danny Ainge tweeted " maybe the world is flat " Lol damn right..whatever Kyrie says goes right now
Celtics were going to be top 2 in the East at minimum so winning 16 in a row while impressive means zilch.
I think it would mean zilch for an older unit. Not quite zilch for a unit with young pieces still gathering confidence
first game i've watched all year was a good comeback have to say i had my doubts after tying it up and then suddenly down 7 but they fought back and played good ball timely rebounds, boxing out and finding the open man still miss chick
Oh but when hard times inevitably comes you can argue vets would handle it better. I'll be rooting against them as a hater.
A larger vet cast, yep, where they'll maybe begin to miss Hayward. They have some real vets with Horford, Kyrie, Morris and Baynes, but it's not a big group. Stevens is a damn good coach, though, so I don't know how long they'd be down
Nance inching closer to a return, can return Monday..Kuz like " damn " Lol Kuz played 40 minutes last night
