The Athletic NBA Daily
Luka’s worst game as a Laker + Draymond’s defensive mind
Apr 4, 2025
Jovan Buha, an NBA reporter focused on the Lakers, discusses the team's struggles following a tough loss to the Warriors. He dives into Luka's worst game in LA and the implications for playoff positioning. Joining him is Marcus Thompson, who unpacks Draymond Green's defensive genius, illustrating how his strategies altered LA's approach. They explore key matchups, including standout performances by Curry and LeBron, highlighting the importance of defensive dynamics in shaping the game’s outcome.
35:51
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Quick takeaways
- Luka Doncic struggled significantly against the Warriors' defense, failing to meet expectations and highlighting the Lakers' offensive inefficiencies.
- Draymond Green's exceptional defensive play was pivotal in the Warriors' victory, reinforcing his candidacy for Defensive Player of the Year.
Deep dives
Lakers' Struggles Against Switch-Heavy Defense
The Lakers faced significant challenges in their recent game against the Warriors, particularly due to their inefficient offense against switch-heavy defensive strategies. After the trade for Luka, the Lakers have struggled to create offensive plays against teams that implement this defensive approach, leading to stagnation and reliance on contested jumpers. Although the Lakers managed to find some success through early post-ups and skip passes, their offensive effectiveness diminished as the game progressed. Golden State capitalized on the Lakers' difficulties by consistently attacking them in transition and dominating the half-court sets.
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