Bernd Becker The “nba rumors: lakers” is a blog that covers the NBA. The Lakers have been struggling, and the team has made 3 adjustments that will help them get back on track.
The Lakers are looking like the worst team in NBA history. The question remains, what can they do to improve? Here are three adjustments this struggling squad needs to make if it wants any hope of success next season.
The Los Angeles Lakers were anticipated to return to becoming championship contenders after an eventful summer. That has not been the case so far, as they are now one game behind the leaders. 500 at 8-9 o’clock. The Lakers have had injuries to begin the season, with Talen Horton-Tucker and LeBron James just recently recovering, but that is no excuse for their sluggish start.
Los Angeles made an unexpected offseason acquisition in the form of star point guard Russell Westbrook. Westbrook’s fit with the Lakers has been called into doubt, and he has yet to establish his groove with the squad. The fact that just three players from last year’s squad (THT, LBJ, and AD) are back has caused some early-season problems.
As a result, here are three changes the Lakers must do to get back on track.
3. Keep turnover to a minimum.
Turnovers have been a major issue early in the season. With 16.8 turnovers per game, they are the second-worst club in the league. When you’re consistently losing the turnover battle against rival teams, it’s difficult to win games. The Lakers’ key playmakers are Russell Westbrook and LeBron James, who are constantly attempting to make a play, which may lead to blunders.
Getting Westbrook used to the offense might help LA cut down on turnovers in the future. They don’t need to be towards the top of the league in terms of not turning the ball over, but rather in the center.
2. Smash the protecting glass with your fists.
For a team with so many strong rebounders, the Lakers surrender an incredible number of offensive rebounds. Frank Vogel’s team has the league’s fifth-worst offensive rebounding defense, surrendering 11.5 per game. This was obvious in the Los Angeles Lakers’ defeat against the Boston Celtics, when the Celtics picked up 12 offensive rebounds, including crucial ones in the fourth quarter.
“We want to be the greatest fast-breaking team in the NBA,” head coach Frank Vogel declared heading into the season. We have dynamic guys, and when you put in a guy like Russ with his quickness, we want to back him up and get everyone up and running. That’s when we’ll be at our most effective…” (Outsiders to the Lakers)
Crashing the defensive boards is the first step for the Lakers in becoming a great fastbreak squad. This may result in easy fastbreak baskets and highlight plays from the big three. Boxing out better will help Los Angeles get out of the fastbreak and eliminate the opposition team’s offensive rebounds.
1. Improve your defense.
The Lakers’ outstanding defense was one of their greatest assets throughout their drive to the 2020 championship. With the 18th highest defensive rating in the league this season, they are in the bottom half of the league. The Los Angeles Rams have some excellent defensive players on their roster, but they haven’t been able to communicate well on the defensive side of the ball.
“I don’t believe it’s our fault,” AD says. To be honest, I believe that is our defense. We need to improve our defensive play.”
November 20, 2021 — Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha)
Davis is the Lakers’ defensive leader, and he is often included in Defensive Player of the Year debates.
“And then defensively, people are going to have major roles if they commit to the defensive side, and if they don’t, they’re not,” Frank Vogel stated after the crushing defeat to the Celtics. It’s that simple because we didn’t get it done on the defensive side of the ball anywhere near the level that we needed to, and there will be some growing pains with cohesiveness and habits, but it wasn’t good enough tonight.” (Nation of the Lakers)
Vogel and Davis seem to agree that the defense needs major improvement. Now it will be a matter of execution and players’ commitment to the defensive strategy. It will help the Lakers a lot if they can improve their defense.
Los Angeles has a challenging job in making these changes and getting back on track. It will take the whole squad to buy in, but if they do, the Lakers will once again be championship contenders.
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