I think Pete nailed it here. He’s not an awful defender, he has some ability, but you cannot use him as a rim protector and hope for good results, he is not that
He looked better against Denver/Jokic than I expected. He's definitely not horrible on D and is playable against true bigs if the defensive scheme is correct. He can make up for some deficiencies with speed and pure hustle. But yeah, not a rim protector and he'll never be. I thought that was AD's job.
Montrezl is actually a pretty good team defender but it's unrealistic to expect him to guard 7 foot centers who have the mass and height advantage over him if they're near the rim. That's where the Lakers as a team needs to make sure they deny the entry pass and call out switches. I also love how Caruso and Schroder were basically helping out Montrezl all night by sideswiping the ball every time Jokic tried dribbling to get near the rim. Little things like that will help the Lakers overcome that hurdle.
Weezy, you aren't known for making dumb posts, but seriously, who wouldn't want to be a Laker more than a Clipper? I'll let you slide on this one, but get your s*** together, my brudda. (LOVED the first one with him and Quinn, btw) :Carusohearthands:
Well, Kawhi and George are two guys who would rather be a Clipper than a Laker. Or maybe they would rather be a Clipper than play with Lebron. ??????
kawhi for sure falls into the "would rather be a clipper than play with lebron" category not sure about PG. but didn't he say he felt "disrespected" that the lakers didn't trade for him a few years ago? and maybe all those playoff beatdowns from the lebron-era heat would put him in the same category as kawhi
He punked Horford quite a few times out there. Also, I would love for him to start blocking shots on a more consistent basis just to hear Billy Mac yell “No Trez-passing!”
I really enjoy the Lakers having an aggressive and skilled big man. I'm not comparing him to Shaq, but no one has had these two qualities since him.
I don't know where is this non-D reputation comes from. He is undersized, so it will always be limitation, but in a good D scheme and considering how he doesn't lack energy, he is a plus defender, no doubt.
You're right , he can be a good defender when hedging and beating opponents to the spot but he's not a complete defender . He completely lost Horford in the PNR twice down the stretch which "forced" Vogel to pull Harrell out of the game then Montrez defended a spot up shooter in the corner when back on the floor . Sure Bron on Horford was a better option to switch the PNR and defend SGA but the second time Trez lost Horford , it would have been game if Al didn't brick a practice 3
