LOS ANGELES – Coming into training camp, there seems to be a general consensus that one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ main weaknesses is going to be defense, but don’t tell Walker Kessler that. The new Lakers big man was brought in to help anchor the defense, and during the early days of training camp and team workouts, Kessler is excited about the team’s potential on that end of the court.
“I think we’re gonna be a nasty defensive team. I’m just being honest. Seeing these guys hound the ball on the perimeter,” Kessler said following Lakers’ practice on Tuesday. “And I think that Loon’s [Kevon Looney] mind, his position on defense is elite too. We’re gonna be really good defensively. We have a lot of defensive tools.
The Lakers’ defense this season starts and ends with Walker Kessler. Going back to his college days when he posted triple-doubles with blocked shots, he’s always been known for his defensive acumen. With the exception of last year during which he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, he’s never averaged less than two blocks a game in his NBA career.
Most pundits recognize Kessler’s defensive skill. And during Lakers’ Media Day, several of his teammates expressed their excitement at getting to play with him and how they can play with more freedom defensively on the perimeter with him behind them, waiting at the basket.
But it’s because of those perimeter guys that Kessler believes the Lakers’ defense is being overlooked. During a preseason press conference on Sept. 24, general manager Rob Pelinka spoke about how one of the team’s offseason goals was to add youth and quickness and athleticism on the perimeter. They did so with players like Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton.
And based on what Kessler has seen from them so far, the Lakers’ defense is going to be better than anticipated.
Article Continues Below“I think people aren’t taking into account how good our perimeter defense is going to be with some of these guys. I’m just being completely honest,” Kessler said. “I think that a lot of the guys are very smart on the perimeter … can play really good defense. We’ve got guys that are ball hawks, that just hound the ball. So I don’t think people have taken that into account much.”
As much as Kessler’s presence makes things easier defensively for the perimeter players, their ability makes his job easier to do. He doesn’t have to worry as much about opposing ball-handlers beating them off the dribble, and even if they do, they can recover enough so that Kessler doesn’t leave the rim unprotected as he comes over on the help.
“It makes my job easier no question. Having those guys that can steal the ball, but not only that, when they do get beat, be able to recover, it makes my job a lot easier,” Kessler said. “It’s a lot easier to block a shot when a dude’s got someone on his hip instead of just an open lane towards the basket. They’re unbelievable defenders.”
And it’s not just Kessler who has seen the intensity from the wing players on the defensive end. Lakers head coach JJ Redick has singled them out as one of the most impressive parts of training camp so far. They know what’s being asked of them and they’re ready to provide that.
“Our group of wings is deep. We met with them last week about what their assignment is, and they understood the assignment,” Redick said following Lakers’ practice on Sept. 29. “They set the tone for us defensively. There was a lot of physicality, a lot of grabbing, holding, a lot of disruption without gambling … those guys did a great job.”