The Lakers are near the bottom of the league in defensive field goal percentage, with opponents shooting 48.5% against them. They know they need to improve their defense and rebounding to be a true contender. The Lakers face Phoenix in an NBA Cup matchup on Tuesday.
“Our personnel isn’t, you know, I think if we’re going to be honest with ourselves, isn’t the best defensively,” Austin Reaves told Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times. “Obviously we’ve got AD (Anthony Davis). That covers up a lot. But we have to be physical out on the perimeter and especially when boxing out. We got to be a better defensive rebounding team and transition as well.”
We have more Western Conference news:
- The Spurs have officially listed Devin Vassell (left knee bone bruise) as out for Tuesday at Utah, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News (Twitter link). It’s not a cause for concern, as he’s expected to return Wednesday against the Lakers. Vassell hasn’t played since Nov. 15.
- Mavericks guard Klay Thompson missed his first game this season on Monday due to left foot plantar fascia, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon tweets. Thompson is averaging 13.2 points per game in 17 starts for Dallas this season. Without Thompson and Luka Doncic, the Mavs still defeated Atlanta, 129-119.
- Michael Malone passed Doug Moe as the winningest coach in Nuggets history with his 433rd regular-season victory on Saturday as his team defeated the Lakers. Malone reached that win total in 56 fewer games than Moe, according to the Denver Post’s Bennett Durando.
Klay is cooked…
It’s a shame Klay never really developed a skill besides shooting. Not a good rebounder, not a good facilitator, hasn’t been a good defender in years. Now he’s a shooter who can’t shoot.
It’s a shame you started watching the NBA two seasons ago and then talk like you know the game. Now you’re a casual with no credibility
@ Cam. Blasphemy…..absolute two-way stud pre injury. I personally consider Klay never making all nba defensive honours a few of those chip seasons a real slap in the face. There you go, Mr Silver. Considering putting your own fingerprint on the league is of importance to you. How about 3 defensive teams like all nba? Let’s really shake up the record books lol.
Klay was a elite defender but due to injury now he is a little below since he can’t move as well. The problem is people thinking he is still a top player when he is the 3rd or 4th option player now. Off the bench and leading the bench players would make him so much more valuable to the Mavs.
Who thinks he’s still a top player?
Surely no one thinks of him as a top player now, but I do remember seeing a lot of hope that he would be better than what he showed in his last few seasons at Golden State. That hope is long gone now though – unfortunately, he looks washed.
Klay can pass the ball when he wants to pass the ball…I still remember there was a time where he had a good connection with Looney, and to a lesser extent more recently with Saric. Sure, it’s not his main focus generally. He still has the ability to be a valuable contributor, but yeh, would be nice to see him chasing down a few rebounds here and there… will always be a legend no matter what
The problem isnt that Klay cant pass or rebound, is that he doesnt want to do those things. He wants to be an elite scorer and only worry about that, but that train has departed long ago.
Klay has not been Klay since 2019 when he tore up his knee. He wasn’t a good passer/rebounder and was the prototypical 3 and D guy for the 2010’s. He’s better off like Arc89 said, to bring him off the bench but his ego needs to be fed, and the Mavericks are doing just that by not realizing that 6th man Klay is better at this stage of his career than 30-35 minutes mediocre Klay.
“Without Thompson and Luka Doncic, the Mavs still defeated Atlanta, 129-1119.”
Lopsided score! Obviously some points are worth more than others. :)
Real Warriors fans know the 22 title run was Klay’s last stand, he’s been nothing but mid ever since his injuries but he was pretty good during those playoffs and not much else other than a crappy attitude ever since.
The Spurs record is a mirage. They have played Utah 5 times. Wemby has put up big numbers but overall his level of play is terrible. Not sure how many air balls from 30 feet are justified by the occasional hot streaks. He has no game in the paint, gets man handled by strong big men and spends most of the night watching smaller guys score at the rim with his hands at his side. Then he decides to play hard late in games and blocks some shots and makes some plays. When will they actually start to coach him? This team needs a legit shooter
A solid game so far tonight for VW -1-4 from 3, 3-8 overall – 4 turnovers and abused on D.
Let’s call it out big nights against Utah and 50 against the Wizards – just not ready to compete against the likes of the Lakers