Don't look now, but Magic taking it to Lakers and Dwight
To press the panic button now? Its obvious that Lakers cannot defend guards. And don't tell me there is nothing wrong you guys. Because I said there was nothing wrong, but I was saying it about their offense. But their defense is absolutely atrocious. You allowed a Arron Afflalo, do drop thirty points on you? He's not a bad player, but he's not exactly known for his offense.
One thing I could take away is the fact they don't have Nash yet. But I could of also told you at the start of the season that there was no way he'd play 82 games. I'm just saying...this team as of right now at most is average, nothing more nothing less.
Lakers' inability to get stops was comical, even though Kobe went Mamba and started scoring every time down, they couldn't get stops and they couldn't win. I don't see how this will change with Nash back, the Lakers are not going to be any better defensively, and Dwight won't be a better FT shooter with him around either.
If I were a Laker fan I'd be very worried about their capacity to defend well enough to win in the post-season.
If you watch the Lakers, you can tell that it isn't the defensive schemes or the coaching at all.
It's the fact that guys aren't playing hard on that end.
Pau Gasol is uninterested on either end.
Dwight isn't the DPOY Dwight.
Kobe was absolutely murdered by Afflalo and was spending more time whining to the refs than getting back on defense.
Antawn Jamison has never been a defender.
Darius Morris is still young.
The only guy out there hustling on both ends is Ron Artest.
Again, when you watch them, you can tell that it isn't the coaching, it's a lack of effort.
I have come to the verdict that they can be good enough to sweep the Heat in a 7 game series, and they can also be horrendous enough to get swept by the Bobcats in a 7 game series.
The pitiful defense is not D'Antoni's fault, it was bad even under Mike Brown this season. I have no clue what has happened to them, because last year they were pretty good on D.
This Lakers team has a chance to be one of the most entertaining teams in the history of the game, and they also have a chance to be one of the most underperforming groups in the history of team activities, not just sports.
not only do they have trouble stopping guards but also stretch bigs...the slow feet of gasol and howard(maybe due to back) is a problem for them...teams like the thunder with martin, russ, kd and ibaka with his midrange jumpshot will reek havoc. same with the heat...even chalmers would run circles around this defense.
im not surprised the lakers havent improved much on defense...i mean how can you expect them to be better in defense by firing a defensive minded head coach for one that has no defensive philosophy
@ Kayjay
didn´t they already press the panic button? they fired mike brown after the first few games. that was clearly the panic button!
now they will need time to get used to D'Antoni and get used to playing with Nash and Howard. But i have a hard time seeing them getting better on defense any time soon.
I think if the Lakers are smart they will give this thing some more time... Look at Miami when they put together Wade, James and Bosh. They started their first season slow as well...
Just switched on in the 4th, it was tied at 88, but Orlando started hacking Dwight, and had some beautiful ball-movement along with some big shots so that it's ballooned out to a 10 point lead.
Magic really want to win this one on the road in LA, Afflalo in particular is playing great.