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The NBA is home to several exceptional talents, many of whom thrive only on offense. LeBron James is a great example of the select few players who excel on both ends of the floor.
The 2021-22 NBA season promises to be an exciting affair as all thirty teams have made moves that will help them achieve their goals. While most have built championship teams that might stay together for one run, others are building a youth team for the future.
Regardless of what the franchise objectives are, players owe it to themselves to be their best version on the court. Many excel on offense but put in little or no effort defending their basket. Although scoring wins games, a stellar defensive effort could be the difference against a team that is equally deadly on offense.
Modern-day NBA players have often focused on offense and have failed to build their defensive skills. While a good scorer catches the eye of franchises, a two-way star is treasured across the NBA.
As we anticipate tip-offs for the 2021-22 NBA season, here are five players who need to improve their games defensively.
#5 DeMar DeRozan
The Chicago Bulls acquired DeMar DeRozan in a sign-and-trade deal during 2021 NBA free agency. While the forward is a threat offensively, his poor defending could be a problem.
DeRozan's defensive problems are a combination of several lapses, including his inability to fight off screens, loss of concentration off-ball, and poor on-ball defending. He has only been a net positive in two years out of his 12-year NBA career on the defensive floor.
If the Chicago Bulls are to have any chance of at least reaching the postseason, DeRozan has to be better defensively. He will be a lot less of a burden on defense if he at least stays with his player and does not get caught wanting.
#4 Marvin Bagley III
Marvin Bagley III has been disgruntled with his role on the Sacramento Kings roster and even seemed to express his desire to leave. However, the forward will be spending the 2021-22 NBA season in Sacramento.
While the 22-year-old can wreak havoc offensively, Bagley is nightmarishly poor on defense. The overall poor defensive setup of the Kings does play a role in his ratings, but the big man has shown no zeal to be better individually either.
Bagley had a few blocks and rebounds in his rookie season that convinced the NBA community that he could be a top defender as he develops. Unfortunately, he has failed to show that type of grit in the years since.
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#3 Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic could be the face of the NBA in coming years, solely because of how lethal he is offensively. Despite spending only three years in the league, the youngster has flourished and is on course to dominate the NBA for years to come.
But Doncic's defensive ability is nothing to write home about. With his size, he could develop into an elite defender that can guard three positions. Doncic would be an unstoppable force in the NBA if he can do half of what Ben Simmons does defensively.
Although Doncic is not horrible defensively, perhaps his most pronounced flaw is his slow closeouts. He haphazardly attempts to close out, which results in an open shot or a quick drive-by him to the basket.
On occasion, Doncic also pays more attention to the ball-handler rather than the man he is guarding. That creates room for the free man to cut to the basket or settle for an open jumper. Playing defense like this in the NBA will surely hamper his team's prospects.
#2 Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns has been a menace offensively since his introduction to the NBA. He has registered double-doubles in every year of his six-year stint so far in the league.
Although he is a force to be reckoned with on offense, his impact on the defensive end is not very high. Towns could be a versatile defender like Bam Adebayo, seeing as he can successfully switch during screens.
However, he is yet to fully unlock his defensive ability. Most of the time, Towns just gets overzealous and is caught out of position or gives away avoidable fouls. If he manages to play better defense in the 2021-22 NBA season, the Minnesota Timberwolves will have a more successful season compared to last year.
#1 Zion Williamson
The New Orleans Pelicans have a generational talent in Zion Williamson, who could lead them to NBA playoffs action for the first time since 2018. While scoring comes easy to the 21-year-old, his defense is seriously lacking.
Williamson's athleticism and strength can make him one of the most versatile defenders in the league. However, the All-Star has a long way to go with respect to learning how to use his frame on the defensive end.
Awareness is his Achilles heel as he gets caught ball watching more often than not. It would be unkind not to commend him for the improvements he has made compared to his rookie season. However, Williamson is capable of so much more and needs to find a way to get better in the 2021-22 NBA season if he hopes to experience playoff basketball at the earliest.
Guess the Lakers players!
