After signing a max extension, the Los Angeles Lakers have so much driving on celebrity Luka Doncic. They’re hoping to construct round him post-LeBron James, however there have been some considerations about his work ethic, ensuing within the Dallas Mavericks giving up on him.
To his credit score, Doncic has purchased into the Lakers after dropping 30 lbs through the summer time and appears like he’s in one of the best form of his NBA profession. That alone is motive to be optimistic, however there may be nonetheless the urgent matter of protection.
Luka Doncic should play protection like he by no means has for the Lakers
Doncic is able to being a greater defender than he’s, however he usually lacks effort on that finish of the ground. Carrying such an enormous offensive load is no less than partially in charge, however he would not even do the naked minimal more often than not.
He usually falls asleep when guarding off-ball, making himself inclined to again cuts. When he is arguing with a referee after a perceived non-call, his teammates are compelled to try to cowl for him till he lastly decides to get again on protection.
That is an unpleasant look, and it infamously value him a championship by doing all of these issues towards the Boston Celtics within the 2024 NBA Finals. With higher conditioning, he’ll hopefully have extra vitality to make use of on that finish of the ground.
Luka Doncic is vital to the Los Angeles Lakers protection
At his finest, Doncic is not some defensive stopper that may swing video games. Nonetheless, shoring up their weakest hyperlink on protection will make the Lakers a lot better on that finish of the ground.
Elevating their defensive flooring would assist to boost their total ceiling. Los Angeles has already introduced in a number of strong defenders in Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and former Defensive Participant of the Yr Marcus Sensible.
They need to give Los Angeles extra defensive personnel than that they had post-Doncic commerce. Possibly not high 10 good defensively however maybe high half good.
Mix that with a Doncic-led offense, which is often adequate to be high 10, and the Lakers might be surprisingly balanced on each side of the ball.
All in all, the Lakers want Doncic to purchase in defensively for them to achieve their full potential subsequent season. If he does, then the Lakers will be capable to have a strong protection and a powerful offense, which may propel them again into title competition.
