US EditionLuka Doncic takes accountability as Lakers continue with defensive focus
Coach JJ Redick's talks with Luka Doncic helped spark defensive urgency that lifted the Lakers from 27th in league defense during a 10-game stretch, improving their road win at Phoenix.
- On Wednesday, Luka Doncic accepted defensive responsibility after talks with Coach JJ Redick, and the Los Angeles Lakers delivered improved defense in their Sunday road win against the Phoenix Suns.
- Redick's warning followed a 10-game stretch of subpar defensive results, prompting him to urge starters to give more, especially after last week's NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
- On film, Coach JJ Redick highlighted disruptiveness, urgency and executing defensive schemes as the Suns scored 15 third-quarter points and shot 37.5% in the second half.
- Thursday's road game in Utah will test whether the Lakers can sustain that defensive urgency, as L.A. first-quarter defensive efficiency at 120.0 highlights the need for starters' improvement.
- On Wednesday the NBA named Deandre Ayton the Bob Lanier Community Assist Award recipient, and the NBA and National Basketball Players Association will donate $20,000 to the Ayton Family Foundation, despite Ayton being ruled out for Thursday with left elbow soreness.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Press-Telegram
Luka Doncic takes accountability as Lakers continue with defensive focus
EL SEGUNDO — With the Lakers coming off a 10-game stretch in which they ranked 27th in the league in defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions), Coach JJ Redick did more than simply acknowledge his team’s defensive woes following last week’s NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He also briefly acknowledged needing more from his star players defensively, including having conversations with them ahead of Sunday’s road win…
Lakers Notes: Luka Doncic, JJ Redick, Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt
Getty The Lakers have one of the best records in the league. JJ Redick still isn’t satisfied. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Redick has made defense a major point of emphasis, calling on the Lakers to lock in earlier and more consistently. Luka Doncic didn’t deflect the message. He owned it. “He was right,” Doncic said. “You got to get a little bit more, especially from the star players. That’s on us. That’s on me.” The numbers back up Redi…
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