Lakers trying to up their physicality in NBA Cup matchup in opposition to Suns – Orange County Register

EL SEGUNDO — Lakers coach JJ Redick initially criticized his group’s “aggressive spirit” in Saturday evening’s residence loss to the Denver Nuggets – particularly throughout a 3rd quarter by which they had been outscored 37-15.

And after watching recreation movie earlier than Monday’s observe, Redick felt the identical approach.

“We simply stopped enjoying,” Redick mentioned Monday.

Redick made certain to level out that what he noticed from his group in that decisive third quarter was an “aberration” by way of power and aggressive spirit.

“We are able to all be higher,” Redick responded when requested what he and the teaching employees can do to forestall these points from taking place once more. “The group needs to be there and there’s actually not a lot we are able to do. I can manipulate all of it I would like, however when you’re not competing, when you’re not enjoying and simply not taking part within the recreation, there’s not a lot I can do.

“And that’s an aberration to me.” We received hit within the mouth a lot throughout matches. We fell and got here again, we began gradual, we began onerous. We had adversity in nearly each recreation. For me, that a part of the third quarter was an aberration. That is not who we’re. And I reiterated that to the group this [on Monday morning]. We confirmed them who we’re on tape. It’s not one thing that weighed closely on me.

What wasn’t an aberration was the Lakers shedding within the extra bodily elements of the video games, particularly defensive rebounding.

The Lakers, who rank twenty sixth in defensive rebounding proportion at 68%, misplaced simply 65.9% of their defensive rebounding alternatives within the loss to the Nuggets and Thursday evening loss to the Orlando Magic.

Which makes Tuesday’s NBA Cup group recreation in opposition to the Phoenix Suns an ideal alternative for the Lakers, who’ve been the extra bodily of the 2 groups of their earlier two matchups this season.

The Lakers rallied to beat the Suns on Oct. 25 at Crypto.com AreaAnd the Suns beat the Lakers on October 28 in Phoenix.

“Whenever you have a look at the 2 common season video games, we had been actually bodily on the defensive finish,” Redick mentioned. “We did a number of issues right now to attempt to reignite that slightly bit and that is finally what you are going to must do. As a protection, total, when you do not dictate phrases to them slightly bit and simply give them freedom, they’re simply too good. So we’ve got to be bodily with them.

A part of the Lakers reviving the physicality concerned enjoying five-on-five throughout Monday’s observe.

“Should you watch basketball for a very long time, groups which might be ‘bodily defensive groups’ may get away with slightly extra, simply because each possession cannot be referred to as a foul,” guard Austin mentioned Reaves. “We’re making an attempt to get to the place we’re bodily each possession and we’ll must get the refs to name fouls. Our employees will not be, we’ll be sincere with ourselves, will not be the very best defensively. Clearly, we’ve got [Anthony Davis]. It hides a variety of issues. However it’s a must to be bodily on the perimeter and particularly in boxing. We should be a greater defensive rebounding and transition group as effectively.

HAYES RETURN

Backup middle Jaxson Hayes is anticipated to return to the sphere Tuesday after lacking the earlier six video games. as a result of sprained left ankle.

“I felt good,” Hayes mentioned after observe. “I have been working towards and enjoying there for the final 4 or 5 days. I am simply making an attempt to get issues again to regular. So it is the very best feeling anybody has ever had.