Darvin Ham: "We're going to be defensive-minded."

[Full Court]

https://sports.yahoo.com/lakers-coach-darvin-ham-sends-132806377.html

So what's he going to do about Bronie, Carmelo, Monk, Westbrook, THT, etc.? These guys aren't too interested in defense.

[3ba11]

A great defense is about PRINCIPLES

the actual defensive talent matters little by comparison

Players must be coached into great defensive fundamentals (positioning, communicating, reading).

This gets hard-wired in with the right leader that doesn't allow let down (Jordan)

good defense is hard and UNCOMFORTABLE - again, it's a mindset (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4x5uXrv49pU)

[Real Men Wear Green]

James can play great defense but he doesn't always give the effort so we'll see how much he cares about Ham's directives. I think they will get rid of Westbrook but if he stays he's always had the tools to defend and he's another guys that would show how much Ham can control stars. The roster has to be revamped to be great on defense but they aren't just hopeless.

[ShawkFactory]

A great defense is about PRINCIPLES

the actual defensive talent matters little by comparison

Players must be coached into great defensive fundamentals (positioning, communicating, reading).

This gets hard-wired in with the right leader that doesn't allow let down (Jordan)

good defense is hard and UNCOMFORTABLE - again, it's a mindset (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4x5uXrv49pU)

It also helps to not have the average age of your rotation players be 34 years old. You could get away with it when the game was less spaced out. And you can get away with it now in spurts but over 82 games? Way tougher.

[3ba11]

James can play great defense





Don't lie

How old was Lebron the last time he was all-defense

And he has horrific positioning - he doesn't know how to play great defense and is just a talent-based winner (all-star team strategy, team-hopper).

He never won with an ordinary team of role players and secondary producers... heck, the Lakers were last defensively in 2019 until AD took them to #1 in 2020... Again, that's just talent.. No real know-how or fundamentals from Lebron.. and Lebron cannot light a fire under teams like real defensive leaders

[3ba11]

It also helps to not have the average age of your rotation players be 34 years old. You could get away with it when the game was less spaced out. And you can get away with it now in spurts but over 82 games? Way tougher.


Good point on the spacing hurting older players

But the Lakers have David Robinson, I mean AD - and an older team can still play great defense with if AD is dialed in and the "others" have good fundamentals

[Cyrus334]

I'm sure they will be, until AD gets injured again, followed by Lebron losing interest in giving any effort on that end for a team he doesn't believe can win a championship. Then the roleplayers will start slacking because they're two anchors aren't playing defense consistently, which will then circle back to the coach who will be on the hot seat when this team is fighting for a play-in spot again.

[ClipperRevival]

They don't have the pieces. Too many old legs and/or guys who never played D to begin with. They aren't changing now.

Only a healthy and fully engaged AD can tip of scales of their D. But that's a big question mark.

[bladefd]

https://sports.yahoo.com/lakers-coach-darvin-ham-sends-132806377.html

So what's he going to do about Bronie, Carmelo, Monk, Westbrook, THT, etc.? These guys aren't too interested in defense.

Monk is gone. Lakers are moving Westbrook soon. Carmelo may not return. THT is hard to say.

Lakers have added some young defensive pieces.

[Lebron23]

Monk is gone. Lakers are moving Westbrook soon. Carmelo may not return. THT is hard to say.

Lakers have added some young defensive pieces.

This. Most of these haters never watch Lakers Game

[TheGoatest]

Finally some encouraging news from Ham, basically saying that he wants to get rid of Westbrick without actually saying it. They need some solid defensive role players to accompany LeBron and his many clutch defensive plays from last season that have gone to waste because of no-defense playing teammates.

[SATAN]

This. Most of these haters never watch Lakers Game

I don't think they watch basketball apart from old MJ highlights.

[Full Court]

This. Most of these haters never watch Lakers Game


I don't think they watch basketball apart from old MJ highlights.

We were watching your hero get stomped all season long, geniuses. :lol

[TheGoatest]

I don't think they watch basketball apart from old MJ highlights.

Heavily edited jordon highlights, that is.
Gotta make sure that they don't include a great play by The Great Scott Pippen.

[ShawkFactory]

Good point on the spacing hurting older players

But the Lakers have David Robinson, I mean AD - and an older team can still play great defense with if AD is dialed in and the "others" have good fundamentals

If he can stay on the court. And if he cares.

[jayfan]

A great defense is about PRINCIPLES

the actual defensive talent matters little by comparison

Players must be coached into great defensive fundamentals (positioning, communicating, reading).

This gets hard-wired in with the right leader that doesn't allow let down (Jordan)

good defense is hard and UNCOMFORTABLE - again, it's a mindset (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4x5uXrv49pU)


Yep.

.

[PP34Deuce]

It's going to be tough. I decode it as slower pace and tougher defense half court. You need to be able to score 110ppg consistently

[Real Men Wear Green]

Don't lie
I resent your parents for having you.

[Full Court]

A great defense is about PRINCIPLES

the actual defensive talent matters little by comparison

Players must be coached into great defensive fundamentals (positioning, communicating, reading).

This gets hard-wired in with the right leader that doesn't allow let down (Jordan)

good defense is hard and UNCOMFORTABLE - again, it's a mindset (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4x5uXrv49pU)

This is true, but you have to get your players to buy into it. If you have players that are only interested in padding offensive stats and don't care about defense, there's not a whole lot a coach can do. Other than bench said people.

[kawhileonard2]

https://sports.yahoo.com/lakers-coach-darvin-ham-sends-132806377.html

So what's he going to do about Bronie, Carmelo, Monk, Westbrook, THT, etc.? These guys aren't too interested in defense.

They need to trade Lebron then. Westbrook is better on defense now.

[Jasper]

https://sports.yahoo.com/lakers-coach-darvin-ham-sends-132806377.html

So what's he going to do about Bronie, Carmelo, Monk, Westbrook, THT, etc.? These guys aren't too interested in defense.

you are start with the top //// Bron will have to play defense during the season as well as the playoff's otherwise he will be the water boy.:lebroncry:

[hold this L]

They need to trade Lebron then. Westbrook is better on defense now.
Westbrook was category last to nearly last in almost every defensive metric last season throughout the whole league.

[Charlie Sheen]

They don't have the pieces. Too many old legs and/or guys who never played D to begin with. They aren't changing now.

Only a healthy and fully engaged AD can tip of scales of their D. But that's a big question mark.

They need a dog on the perimeter. Someone who is engaged and wants to be a good defender. Lebron can be that guy, but it would only make sense situationally if the Lakers are playing a team constructed like the MVP Rose Bulls. Lebron chasing curry for 30+ minutes isn't going to be a winning strategy.

100% agree AD can be the difference maker to transform this team from pitiful to acceptable on the defensive end. That's no insult to AD. The amount of ground he can cover and his defensive instincts are elite.