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Anthony Davis recently outlined the LA Lakers' issues amid the team's four-game losing streak. The Lakers have improved on offense but haven't been able to consistently play good defense. They began the season as one of the top defensive teams, but looked off-color during the recent four-game skid.
Following the Lakers' 114-101 loss against the LA Clippers, Davis spoke about LA's defensive woes (via Spectrum SportsNet):
"We're starting to figure everything out offensively. Defense is self-inflicted. You know, we know how good we are defensively. We've shown it. We've guys out. A 15-20-point scorer in Lonnie. You know, DS [Dennis Schroder], another ball-hog. We haven't been there out at full strength, but the fact that it's still early.
"We obviously dug ourselves a hole, and we've been in games because of our defense and we get back to defending to where our offense is headed, and where it is right now."
The Lakers were No. 2 in defensive ratings until their 130-116 loss to the Utah Jazz on Nov. 4. Since then, they have dropped to No. 13. Meanwhile, the Lakers remain dead last in the NBA in offensive ratings.
However, they have improved their efficiency over the past few games. It's still not where they would want it to be, but there is a steady growth in how they have performed on that end of the floor.
Most of the LA Lakers' losses early in the season came in close games. But that's not been the case of late. They suffered blowout losses during their four-game losing stretch. They conceded 130 or more points in two games against the Jazz and allowed a league-worst 124.3 points per contest during that four-game period.
Anthony Davis the lone consistent presence on defense for LA Lakers
Anthony Davis has played at the center position this year. It may have taken a toll on his body, but that's been a crucial reason behind the LA Lakers being a solid team defensively early in the season. The Lakers have dropped their defensive efficiency over the past few games.
However, AD remains their most consistent player on defense. But during their four-game losing stretch, Davis' efforts haven't been enough. The Lakers desperately need another defensive big who can protect the paint.
Anthony Davis getting dragged out on the perimeter allows opposition teams to attack the paint easily. Meanwhile, the former New Orleans Pelicans star doesn't have the weak-side help defensively. With him playing at center, this has allowed certain players to get into a pick-and-pop situation with an open look from inside the arc.
The LA Lakers' perimeter defenders have been inconsistent lately, contributing to Anthony Davis' heavy workload defensively. It's preventing him from moving around freely, so the Lakers will need to clean that up to rediscover the defensive identity they displayed in the first few games.
