As far as fixing their defensive woes, the Los Angeles Lakers may not have a ton of room for improvement. Their regular rotation players lack speed, quickness and perimeter defensive prowess, and opponents have been starting to exploit those deficiencies on a more regular basis.
Some Lakers fans have been calling for forward Jarred Vanderbilt, an energetic and versatile defender, to re-enter the rotation, and head coach JJ Redick said this week it’s something that could happen.
Redick also said that he will look to get rookie forward Adou Thiero, who has ample athleticism and is thought to have the potential to become a plus defender, some minutes.
Via Silver Screen and Roll:
“We’re just going to look for opportunities to get him minutes,” Redick said. “I think he’s had some good three to four minute runs and some three to four minute runs where he looks like a rookie and that’s OK. We’re also going to continue to use South Bay for him to get reps.”
Thiero, who was a second-round draft pick in June, has gotten a total of 52 minutes in nine games with the Lakers and has totaled 10 points on 3-of-5 field-goal shooting, six rebounds, three steals and one assist. He doesn’t appear to be ready for even slivers of playing time when a game is competitive, but he could very well surprise people over time.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers coach JJ Redick says he’ll find minutes for Adou Thiero
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
