It’s no secret that i Los Angeles Lakers do not have a roster built to excel on defense, an awareness also shared by Austin Reaves. Aside from Anthony Davis, most of the yellow and purple are primarily known for their offensive skills.
The shortcomings are reflected in the numbers: the Lakers capture only 47.9% of available rebounds (twenty-sixth in the NBA) and allow 27.4 transition points per game (penultimate in the League). To resolve these difficulties, the coaching staff is working intensely, focusing on greater physicality and defensive attention.
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💪 Austin Reaves: «We are happy to have Jaxson Hayes back»
During training on Monday, JJ Redick organized a particularly physical and competitive session to stimulate the team. At the end of the session, Austin Reaves shared his impressions: «There was good energy and we talked a lot about how we can improve.” Despite the recent difficulties, AR underlined the group’s positive attitude: «Win or lose, the next day you have to go back to work with a smile, enjoying what you do.»
Reaves explained the importance of increasing defensive intensity and «to force one’s hand» to the referees:
«If you watch basketball for a long time, you realize that physical teams on defense tend to fare better, because it’s impossible to call a foul on every possession. We want to get to that level, be physical on every play and force the referees to make a decision.”
Austin acknowledged the roster’s defensive limitations: «Being honest with ourselves is important: our personnel are not the best defensively. Obviously we have AD who covers a lot of gaps, but we need to do more on the perimeter, improve in blocking, be more physical and improve in defensive rebounding and transition.”
When asked about the risk of allowing more free throws with a more physical game, the Lakers winger downplayed: «Maybe give a few more free throws, but I don’t think there’s much to lose. If someone ricochets, just put a body on them and control them. Put your forearm on your opponent’s chest, and if the referee blows his whistle, never mind.”
Finally, Austin Reaves enthusiastically welcomed the return of Jaxson Hayesavailable for the match against the Suns: «Jaxson was playing very well before his ankle injury. He gives our bench enormous energy, especially on defense with his vertical work at the rim. His energy is contagious, and it’s great to have him back.”
📅 Next Game
I Los Angeles Lakers they return to the field in the night (4:00 🇮🇹) between Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th November to face the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center. The race will be valid for West Group B from the Emirates NBA Cup 2024.
On the cover: Austin Reaves during Lakers training at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo on November 25, 2024. (Lakers.com)
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