The Los Angeles Lakers’ defense has taken a severe downturn in recent weeks, largely coinciding with Lonzo Ball’s injury. In the same time span, the Lakers have taken a large step backward as a team, limping to the All-Star break with a 28-29 record.
Multiple Lakers have pointed out Ball’s return being a potential boost for the team in the home stretch of the season, the most recent being JaVale McGee. After Tuesday’s loss, McGee pointed to Ball as a key returnee.
“Definitely, definitely… Everybody is nursing an injury. Lonzo will be back, that will be good to have a big guard on defense guarding the point guard position. There’s a lot of positivity on the way back.”
James also recently noted Ball’s return being a potential boost for the team.
“We have a huge piece still not with us, in Lonzo, that’s a huge piece of our team so until then we have to continue to work throughout our film sessions, throughout our shoot-arounds.”
Interestingly, despite multiple players on the team pointing to Ball being a key part of the defense, Ball doesn’t have great statistical numbers as a defender. With Ball on the court, the Lakers have a 105.3 defensive rating, but a -0.4 net rating.
Off the court, Ball’s numbers have seen an increase with the Lakers recent struggles. The team has a 108.9 defensive rating and a -1.5 net rating with Ball off the court, both figures ranking higher than the team’s overall ratings on the year.
Ball is improving in his consistency as a defender, which is his greatest weakness defensively right now. The Lakers will need him to be that type of defender when he returns.
