The Lakers Defense Is Led by Walker Kessler and... Luka Dončić?

The Lakers are getting exactly what they hoped they'd get from Walker Kessler defensively.

He's contesting shots at an incredibly high rate inside, and forcing miss after miss. The Lakers are completely different team on that side of the ball because of the activity and deterrence that Kessler provides. And because this is basically what he was doing in Utah, there's no reason to believe that the impact won't be consistent throughout the season.

And so Kessler gets a ton of credit for changing the way the Lakers play defense. As do guys like Matisse Thybulle, Quentin Grimes and Ziaire Williams.

And you know who else?

How about Luka Dončić? In years past, it's been easy to argue that Luka has been a better defender than he gets credit for. That he does some things well, and isn't the civ that seems to be his rep. But this year? Luka hasn't just been better than perception, or a net neutral. He's been legitimately good. He's a big reason the Lakers defense doesn't crater when Kessler is off the floor.

And if the Lakers can find ways to keep him healthy and fresh enough to keep this up, it transforms their potential. And the way people view Luka, broadly.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

PHOTO CREDIT: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

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