Los Angeles, CA – Following the Lakers’ recent loss to the San Antonio Spurs, former NBA sharpshooter and current Lakers analyst JJ Redick didn’t mince words when discussing the team’s glaring weaknesses. Redick, speaking on ESPN’s “Get Up,” pointed to the team’s struggles in containing the 7-foot-3 sensation, Victor Wembanyama, as a clear indication of their defensive deficiencies.
“Wembanyama exposed some real issues for this Lakers team tonight,” Redick stated. “His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor was simply too much for them to handle. Every time they drew Anthony Davis out of the paint and targeted Austin Reaves in the post, they scored. Wembanyama’s mere presence made LA’s defense over-adjust. It felt like they were constantly playing a game of chess, trying to figure out how to contain him, and ultimately, they came up short.”
Redick continued, “The reality is, this team needs more defensive stoppers. They need someone who can guard multiple positions on the perimeter, and they desperately need another rim protector to take some of the pressure off AD. Watching Wembanyama tonight really highlighted those weaknesses.”
Redick’s comments come at a crucial time for the Lakers, as the trade deadline approaches. The team has been actively exploring potential upgrades to their roster, and Redick’s analysis further emphasizes the need for defensive reinforcements.
Whether the Lakers can address these needs before the deadline remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: the team’s performance against Wembanyama served as a stark reminder of the areas where they need to improve if they hope to compete for a championship.