Luka Dončić shuts up many mouths and his Lakers start to cause fear
The purple and gold are solidifying their position in the third spot of the Western Conference and are starting to be taken seriously heading into the playoffs.
A few hours before the hard-fought victory of Los Angeles Lakers over Houston Rockets on Monday night, their coach, JJ Redick, made the message clear: every player had to take on their responsibility as a star in defense as well. That idea would shape the course of the game. What Luka Doncic did was insane.
The headline of the game was the Lakers' ability to contain Kevin Durant in static positions. The future legend went a poor 1 for 5 in shooting in the second half, in addition to committing six turnovers. However, this success was not just due to tactical planning but to a growing collective execution.
The Lakers are currently in their best form: they have won nine of their last ten games, boast the league's second-best defense in that stretch, and outscore their opponents by 14.6 points per 100 possessions. In this context, Luka Doncic—crucial for his offensive talent—is also becoming an important piece defensively.
“He has been a good defender for us overall,” Redick explained after the game. “When he switches and stays with the ball, he's allowing less than 0.9 points per possession. He is one of the best, if not the best, among our perimeter players.”
The coach also highlighted his tactical evolution: “He is more active in rotations and more physical in switches. With him, it's about being solid, being involved, and following our rules. He is smart and can execute it at a high level. When he is fully focused, he can defend the ball against anyone. We trust him.”
The narrative surrounding Luka Doncic's defense has changed in recent seasons. For years, it was one of his main weaknesses, particularly exposed in the 2024 Finals against the Boston Celtics, where he was constantly targeted. That situation was a turning point for both the player and the Dallas Mavericks.
His arrival at the Lakers, alongside offensive profiles like Austin Reaves and veteran LeBron James, raised doubts about the team's balance. The addition of Deandre Ayton reinforced that feeling. After all, the team ranks 20th in defensive rating for the season, reflecting the limitations of the roster.
But Doncic has stepped up. After losing over nine kilos in the summer, he arrived at the training camp in better physical shape, allowing him to fit better into Redick's defensive system.
On paper, the Lakers do not have top specialists on defense. They are weak in rebounding and shot-blocking (25th in blocks and 28th in rebounds), and beyond Marcus Smart, they lack standout defenders at the point of attack. Therefore, Redick has constructed a system that maximizes collective performance.
The Lakers' defense is based on teamwork: frequent use of zones, constant switches to disrupt the opponent's rhythm, and a compact structure that keeps players close to each other. They also stand out for their help defense, rotations, and presence in the paint.
The Role of Luka Doncic
In this context, Doncic's role is better understood. The system enhances his strengths and hides his weaknesses. One of his major improvements is in contesting shots, where he ranks among the best in the league. Especially in one-on-one situations, he is responding effectively: allowing just 0.844 points per possession in isolations, figures comparable to or even better than defenders like Amen Thompson, Jaden McDaniels, or OG Anunoby.
This is coupled with his ability to anticipate passes. With 4.2 deflections per 100 possessions, along with steals, blocks, and a positive impact on defensive plays, Doncic is no longer a weak link in the Lakers' system.
All of this gains even more value considering his enormous offensive load: he is one of the players with the most ball handling, leads the league in scoring, and ranks among the best in advanced metrics. In this context, his defensive commitment is no longer a minor detail but a key piece in the competitive identity of these Lakers.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Luka Doncic calla muchas bocas y sus Lakers empiezan a meter miedo