It took overcoming an 18-point deficit, but the Lakers remained 3-0 with Sunday’s road win over the Utah Jazz, led by Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves combining for 81 points.
LA’s major offseason addition, Walker Kessler, struggled to contribute offensively as Utah game-planned to overload the paint. He finished 1-2 from the field for two points with seven rebounds and a block. Still, the former Jazz big man ended the night with a plus-minus of plus-six.
While the return to Utah was quiet offensively,
his first two games in the purple and gold were anything but. Kessler finished lobs and dump-off passes near the rim to average 24 points per night in those contests.
His scoring consistency will fluctuate throughout the season, but the Lakers traded for him to be a defensive anchor every night and he’s immediately been a force on that end. Over three games, the Lakers have a 105.6 defensive rating with Kessler on the court, which would be good for sixth overall, along with a +26 net rating.
The team’s entire defense hinges on his ability to protect the basket. The Lakers prefer to keep him in a drop coverage scheme, where he engages the ball handler enough for his teammate to chase over and recover, without letting his man roll behind.
Kessler has a quick-twitch jump and elite mobility for his size, allowing him to react timely to offensive players. Watch below as Kris Dunn rejects the ball screen and heads to the rim. Kessler is in position to dissuade the pass to the big man while easily rejecting Dunn at the basket.
While the Lakers would love to park Kessler near the rim at all times, that’s not how the modern game works. With the volume of screen actions every play and five-out offenses around the league, an elite big man must be able to defend the perimeter and still recover to the rim, sometimes multiple times per possession.
The counter against a drop coverage is ball handlers with a pull-up jump shot, especially on 3-pointers. Against the Clippers and Darius Garland, Kessler was asked to meet the screen at the level to hedge the ball handler, as shown below, and recover to his man. Watch as he forces the ball out of Garland’s hands and still recovers to block Rui Hachimura at the basket.
Kessler leads the Lakers in rebounds, is tied for second in the league in blocks and leads the team in 3-point contests per game. Head coach JJ Redick, at his opening media availability, noted he hopes to use Kessler similarly to how the Spurs use Victor Wembanyama.
It’s a strategy where you start a rim protector on a less dangerous corner shooter. There’s a trust that he can protect the rim while recovering out enough in time to closeout effectively. Watch below as Kessler not only gets back in time to contest, but erases the rookie Keaton Wagler’s shot entirely.
Kessler’s mere presence taps into the strengths of the defensive talent on the roster. LA signed two-time All-Defensive player Matisse Thybulle and young, athletic wing Ziaire Williams to be perimeter pests.
He lets them be ultra-aggressive, knowing he’s flanking behind them. Watch as Thybulle chases over and takes multiple swipes at the ball against Draymond Green. If he’s out of position, Kessler is there to hinder any attack on the basket.
While the Lakers haven’t played a row of contenders to start the season, roles have been clearly defined throughout the team. For Kessler, that’s been just as crystallized as everyone else.
His job is to maintain his defensive motor and focus for every minute he plays. With his offensive responsibilities set to be a play finisher, he can save energy for the other side of the floor.
There’s still a long way to go this season, but so far Kessler has answered the bell on what he was brought here to do.
You can follow Raj on X at @RajChipalu
