The new-look Lakers have plenty of firepower of offense, but critics are worried about their defense.
However, big man Walker Kessler isn’t worried about their D at all.
“Listen, I think we’re gonna be a nasty defensive team,” Kessler said after the team’s first practice. “I’m just being honest. These guys hound the ball on the perimeter and I think [Kevon Looney’s] mind and his positioning on defense is elite too. We’re gonna be really good defensively. We have a lot of, a lot of defensive tools.”
Kessler continued about why he feels the Lakers are being underrated defensively.
“I think people aren’t taking into account how good our perimeter defense is gonna be with some of these guys. I’m just being completely honest. I just think that a lot of our guys are very smart on the perimeter and positionally can play really good defense. And then we got guys that are just ballhawks that just hound the ball. So I don’t think people are taking that into account as much.”
Austin Reaves went up against some of the teams wings including Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Adou Thiero and he can attest to their strength.
“Let me tell you, trying to score on Matisse and Ziaire, especially with Adou out there too and then Walker on the back line, is not easy,” Reaves said. “I had to deal with that all day yesterday and today and it’s not fun. Defensively, we’re gonna be much better. Those guys compete every possession and everybody else fills in their roles and plays the right way. I see how special we can be.”
He spoke about the way they’ve have been guarding him going as far to say they are annoying on defense,” They all annoy the hell out of me. Like I talked about, Matisse and Ziaire, yesterday were on the same team and it was not my team, which wasn’t fun. But it’s good to just get those reps in early. I think they’re two of the best defenders in the league. They can guard multiple positions, their length, Matisse’s anticipation is top tier.
“I’m excited to have them on our team and see what they can do. Adou has been guarding me all summer when we’ve been playing pickup and stuff. He’s a freak of nature, moves as well as anybody. One of the best athletes in the league. Once he starts thinking about the game more, as we’ve talked about a lot this summer, he’s asked a lot of questions. So he’s very interested in learning, and that’s what he needs.”
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