Are the Lakers a Good Defensive Team?

[Bankshot]

I kept hearing all season long that their defense has improved, especially with the addition of Artest.  Watching them against the Suns, although they are 2-1 against the Suns, they have given up over 100 points a game to the Suns.  Is the Lakers' defense bad, or is it just that they're playing an uptempo team where they might be sucked into playing their game, thus giving up so many points?  Which is it?

And Artest looks like a horrible offensive player and really doesn't look like the defensive player he used to be.

[wdleehi]

Not really.  Passable defense with major cracks that can be exploited.

[Roy Hobbs]

They're a good defense.  They ranked 4th in defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions), 5th in FG% allowed and 6th in eFG% allowed.

Most of those numbers were actually better than the Celtics numbers, although that's the regular season Celts we're talking about.

[Birdbrain]

Not any better than they have ever been regardless of the media trying to sell a different story.  Very soft at the point of attack as well as the interior.  No hard fouls. 

That is the one thing I've taken from this playoffs.  Boston even if they are beat won't let you score without superior effort while other teams are willing to live to fight another possession which in the end will be Bostons key to bringing home #18.

Boston wants it more.

[Who]

They Lakers are an excellent defensive team.

Two superb wing defenders and three long 6-10 to 7-0 patrolling the paint.

When Bynum is playing well defensively they truly are something to watch on that end of the floor.

[Birdbrain]

They Lakers are an excellent defensive team.

Two superb wing defenders and three long 6-10 to 7-0 patrolling the paint.

When Bynum is playing well defensively they truly are something to watch on that end of the floor.

Is this sarcasm?

[Greenbean]

They Lakers are an excellent defensive team.

Two superb wing defenders and three long 6-10 to 7-0 patrolling the paint.

When Bynum is playing well defensively they truly are something to watch on that end of the floor.

One huge weakness though at PG on defense. D Fish cant defend anymore. I agree they have the horses to play great D but if the other team has a PG who can push the pace, they are in trouuble.

For example if we were playing the Suns right now they would not be cracking 110 every game.

Also Bankshot, you are right that Artest has lost his fastball a bit but he is still a tough physical player. Probably the ONLY physical player the Lakers have and that is a dimension the Lakers just didnt have 2 years ago. But still, if we advance against the Lakers, Rondo should have no trouble getting in the lane and creating havoc.

[Who]

They Lakers are an excellent defensive team.

Two superb wing defenders and three long 6-10 to 7-0 patrolling the paint.

When Bynum is playing well defensively they truly are something to watch on that end of the floor.

Is this sarcasm?

No, the Lakers are an excellent defensive team.

[Birdbrain]

They Lakers are an excellent defensive team.

Two superb wing defenders and three long 6-10 to 7-0 patrolling the paint.

When Bynum is playing well defensively they truly are something to watch on that end of the floor.

Is this sarcasm?

No, the Lakers are an excellent defensive team.

IC well then I disagree with all 3 of your points.

Bynum has never played well defensively even when he's not hurt which is about 10% of  his career.

[Roy Hobbs]

They Lakers are an excellent defensive team.

Two superb wing defenders and three long 6-10 to 7-0 patrolling the paint.

When Bynum is playing well defensively they truly are something to watch on that end of the floor.

Is this sarcasm?

No, the Lakers are an excellent defensive team.

I'd go with "good".  I think "excellent" means 2008 Celtics, or at least top-two in the league.  The Lakers aren't in that category.  They're a top-four to top-six defense, but no better than that.

The problem with the Lakers is that they don't always show 100% defensive commitment, which is what you're seeing in the Suns series.  When they clamp down, though, they're at least as good as Cleveland or Orlando, but not as good as the Celts.

[Frezz]

Throw the numbers out. I truly believe that if you punch Gasol, Bynum and Odom in the mouth, they'll lay down faster than Paris Hilton after 2 shots of Tequila. We'll be scoring on them.

[Edgar]

The problem with the Lakers is that they don't always show 100% defensive commitment, which is what you're seeing in the Suns series.  When they clamp down, though, they're at least as good as Cleveland or Orlando, but not as good as the Celts.

I am totally with this one.
absolutely.
And probably they arent as good as cle or orlando
but close

[SamuelAdams]

Their length is a problem that we will overcome.  Artest has always played PP well and has had his number a few times.

[Brendan]

I think they have people who are good defenders (or were in the past) and people that could be good defenders. But overall I don't think they are a team as much as individuals.

[Mr October]

They Lakers are an excellent defensive team.

Two superb wing defenders and three long 6-10 to 7-0 patrolling the paint.

When Bynum is playing well defensively they truly are something to watch on that end of the floor.

Is this sarcasm?

No, the Lakers are an excellent defensive team.

I'd go with "good".  I think "excellent" means 2008 Celtics, or at least top-two in the league.  The Lakers aren't in that category.  They're a top-four to top-six defense, but no better than that.

The problem with the Lakers is that they don't always show 100% defensive commitment, which is what you're seeing in the Suns series.  When they clamp down, though, they're at least as good as Cleveland or Orlando, but not as good as the Celts.

I agree with you Roy. The Lakers are very good on defense - top 5. However they don't bring the same level of defensive intensity that Boston, Cleveland or even Miami brings.