“We’re just so damn good defensively”: LeBron James opens up about what has ‘saved’ the Lakers’ season this year

Lakers’ star LeBron James opens up and talks about the difficulties the Lakers are having this season, and what’s keeping them afloat.

The Los Angeles Lakers started out the current season strong, reminding us they are the defending champions. With all the changes they made in the offseason, they came out as a stronger unit, and the favorites to repeat their title run.

However, things have not gone right for them ever since February began. Anthony Davis got ruled out due to an Achilles tendonitis, and since then the Lakers have been very inconsistent.

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They went from 21-6 to 24-13, and are now on the third spot in the West. The insufficient amount of gap between the previous season and this has led to added injuries and fatigue, which has caused the defending champions a lot of troubles.

LeBron James praises the Lakers defense for keeping them afloat

Despite having a rough season, the Lakers are still on the #3 spot in the West. This is a stacked western conference where the gap between #5 and #10 is just 3 games. To not only stay afloat in the West but to still be on the #3 spot, is a huge deal.

LeBron James recently sat down and talked about how the Lakers are not tanking this season: defense.

“The fact that we’re so damn good defensively has saved us so far this season cause we haven’t been great offensively. Haven’t shot the ball well, have had high turnover games … but we hang our hats on our defense and that’s always going to give us an opp. to win.”

LeBron: “The fact that we’re so damn good defensively has saved us so far this season cause we haven’t been great offensively. Haven’t shot the ball well, have had high turnover games … but we hang our hats on our defense and that’s always going to give us an opp. to win.”

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 11, 2021

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The Lakers are second in the NBA in the points allowed per game, at 106.3 per game. Their bench and role players like KCP, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Markieff Morris have been performing really well for the team.

At the end of the day, the Lakers would hope to finish within the top 6, so they don’t have to participate in the play-in tournament.