There are question marks about how capable the Los Angeles Lakers' new-look roster will be on the defensive end, especially on the perimeter, after they were 20th in defensive rating last season. New starting center Walker Kessler could improve their overall defense by himself, but there still seems to be an overall lack of high-level perimeter defenders.
But when it comes to the other end of the floor, there is a feeling that the Lakers will be very good and perhaps even elite. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves give them an outstanding foundation offensively, and the additions of Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili and even Matisse Thybulle will give the team the ability to hit from the outside and score in transition more than
it has in a while.
Per Keith Smith of spotrac.com, a rival NBA scout raved about the Lakers' ability and potential on offense this coming season.
“Well, there’s certainly a lot of offense. And I think it’s offense that all fits together pretty well. They have way more shooting this year than last year. More off-the-dribble creation too. They should be a really good passing team also,” a rival scout said. “Defensively…well, they’ll score a lot of points! (laughs) If (head coach) JJ (Redick) can get this group in the top-20 on defense, give him Coach of the Year, because they’ll probably be awesome.”
Last season, L.A. was first in overall field-goal percentage, but just 10th in offensive rating, 14th in 3-point accuracy and 16th in fast-break points. Its offensive rating, 3-point shooting and fast-break points should increase now that it has a roster that is younger, more athletic, more fluid and more offensively well-rounded. Grimes and Mamukelashvili can not only hit from the outside but also operate off the dribble, and Sexton will help a bench that was starving for offense last season.
If Los Angeles ranks fairly high in terms of 3-point accuracy, fast-break points and getting to the free throw line, it should be able to have one of basketball's better offenses and be one of the league's highest-scoring teams. Doing so would, in turn, help its defense by virtue of limiting opponents' transition opportunities and allowing it to fully set up its defense more often.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Rival scout on Lakers' offense: 'Well, they’ll score a lot of points!'
