After the trades that remade their roster last season, the Los Angeles Lakers surprisingly became a very good defensive team after being seriously deficient in that department dating to early in the 2021-22 season. They had the fourth-highest defensive rating after the All-Star break and were fifth in that category during the playoffs.
So far during the 2023-24 preseason, the Lakers have mixed results defensively. Although they’ve held teams to fewer than 110 points twice in five games, they’ve allowed at least 125 points in the other three contests.
Still, the defensive potential of their roster is clear. It possesses plenty of wings that can defend, as well as an excellent point-of-attack defender, guard Gabe Vincent, and shot-blocking big men, Anthony Davis and Jaxson Hayes.
Forward Hachimura, who has plenty of defensive potential himself, is supremely confident in how strong L.A. can be on that end of the floor.
Rui Hachimura on the #Lakers potential on defense: “I think we have the ability to be the No. 1 defense in the league.” pic.twitter.com/eTE6RhlT8B
— Lauren Jones (@LoJoMedia) October 13, 2023
“For sure,” said Hachimura. “We can for sure be a top team, top-three defensively. Offense too, of course. We got a lot of size with Jaxson here and Christian and everybody, we can guard 1-5. We can switch everything. We haven’t done it yet but I think we have a team to be the No. 1 defense in the league.”
Maintaining the defense they had late last season will be a critical key for the Lakers as they go after their 18th NBA championship this season.