Lakers Might Have Found Solution to Defensive Issues Against Elite Wing Players https://t.co/vVZV1AdkOs
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) November 11, 2024
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick made a surprising move this week when he decided to bench D’Angelo Russell for Cam Reddish. The switch intended to improve the defense with Reddish starting, as well as provide a needed spark off of the bench in Russell.
The decision paid off in the Lakers’ 116-106 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Though the 76ers were without Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the Lakers earned the win after losing four of their previous five games.
Reddish stepped in and helped stifle Paul George throughout the game. George finished with just nine points, four rebounds, and eight assists, and was unable to get going offensively.
Anthony Davis, who returned from injury and scored 31 points in the win, broke down what Reddish did well defensively in the game.
“He’s disruptive, he’s handsy, he’s physical, he’s tough, he slides his feet,” Davis said, via Jovan Buha of The Athletic. “That’s what we need. He’s been that for us, especially the last three games. And it stands out. It got him in the rotation. You need a player like that who you kinda just feed off of their energy. He’s coming into the game and getting steals and guarding the other team’s best wing and putting a lot of pressure on that wing to make tough shots, tough plays.”
While I did like Cam’s defense on PG, he needs to be more involved than taking that first three and then not shooting the rest of the game. That could work against the shorthanded Sixers but Reddish needs to contribute more on offense than 1 for 1. Otherwise, this experiment is going to end like last season and Reddish will be replaced by Vando.