PHOENIX — It's not about rosters, injuries or the system. Cause Lakers“A defensive failure is a thousand little decisions that went wrong.
“It all comes down to simple choices,” Coach JJ Redick said after the Lakers gave up 132 points in the game emission losses to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. “He makes choices. There are shortcuts you can take, or you can do the hard thing, and you can make a second effort, or you can run back, or you can't. It's just a choice, and there are a million choices in the game, and you're probably not going to get every choice right. But can you get the vast majority of them right? That gives you a chance to win.”
Coming off back-to-back losses for the first time this season, the Lakers (19-9) are ranked 28th in defensive rating in their last 14 games entering the Christmas showcase against the Houston Rockets at 5:00 pm PT. Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers, without individual defenders, need a perfectly orchestrated team defense to compete. But 15 different starting lineups in 28 games have somewhat slowed the team's ability to provide continuity. The Lakers had a full roster of 14 players on a standard two-game contract.
Forwards Rui Hachimura (groin) and Luka Doncic (foot) could return on Thursday. Guard Gabe Vincent, one of the team's best perimeter defenders, will miss his fourth game with lower back soreness. Center Jackson Hayes injured his left ankle in the second quarter of Tuesday's loss and did not return.
The Rockets (17-10) enter the Christmas blockbuster with their own challenges. The team, considered one of the few that could challenge Oklahoma City in the West, has lost five of its last seven games. Three of the losses came in overtime and four were against teams not currently in the game, including Tuesday's game. loss to the Clippers.
Led by Kevin Durant's 25.2 points, the Rockets are a statistical anomaly in the modern, possession-driven NBA. They have the third-best offense in the league despite being one of the slowest. They make the fewest three-pointers per game but are making them at 40%, which ranks second, and dominate the table with an NBA-best 48.7 rebounds and 16.1 offensive rebounds per game.
Houston's physicality and experience on the boards could be especially troubling for a team that still has to consciously choose a possession-based defense instead of consistently meeting the standards of a tough game.
“There’s really no defense, no scheme that we can use when we give up offensive rebounds in crucial moments like we do, our [opponents] they get wherever they want on the court,” – defender Marcus Smart said after Tuesday's loss. “And there is no help, no resistance, no urgency… It's on us.”
The Suns grabbed 12 offensive rebounds against the Lakers on 35 missed shots for an offensive rebounding rate of 34.3%. After the Suns hit a 3-pointer and grabbed two offensive rebounds after knocking down baskets, Lakers players had a heated discussion during a timeout as Smart gestured to center Deandre Ayton about the knockdown rebounds. Ayton, who finished the game with 10 rebounds and 12 points, and Smart finished the timeout with five.
“[I need to] just keep talking to the guys, even though sometimes they might not want to hear it,” said Smart, a free agent coveted by the Lakers for his leadership and tenacity on defense. “Especially when we lose, no one wants to hear it, including me, but we also understand that it’s important for us to hear these things and see and be able to talk to each other and understand it as players on the court because we’re the ones there.”
Redick intentionally created moments for players to connect and communicate during each timeout this season before the coaches started talking. The strategy was intended to encourage players to take on a greater leadership role. “Championship Communication” was one of the team's three pillars.
Lakers center Jackson Hayes, left, tackles Clippers guard James Harden during a layup during Saturday's game.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
In addition to “championship form,” Redick also asked his team to develop “championship habits.” Living by mantras is easier said than done.
“It’s not an easy choice,” Redick said. “It's human nature… We do it every day. We make the easy choice because it's convenient. Comfort doesn't win.”
