
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 1, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) brings the ball upcourt against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Jan 1, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) brings the ball upcourt against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have made a good start to the season. After 11 games in the NBA, the Lakers have the best start in the league, sitting at an 8-3 record. The Lakers have been showing why they won the NBA championship last season and are considered favorites to run it back this year.
LeBron James wants the Lakers to improve defensively
However, the Lakers aren’t completely satisfied. LeBron James spoke to the press after the game against the Rockets and noted that despite their good start this season, the Lakers have one clear objective; be the best defensive team in the league. James added that the entire team has been working toward that goal.
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“Well, our goal is to be the number one defensive team in the league. It’s going to take all our film sessions, all our shootarounds, practices where we get the opportunity to get on the floor, and then the games to continue to work those habits.”
LeBron on the Lakers' defense: "We want to be the best defensive team in the league." pic.twitter.com/A9yO1KCdlA
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) January 11, 2021
James also added that the Lakers are working with almost an entirely new roster. And it will take time for them to figure out rotations and find ways to have the team play well. But the goal remains the same, regardless of the team structure. They want to be the best defensive team.
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He added, “We added five new guys to our rotation this year in Trez, Dennis The Menace, Marc, and also Talen. We’re all getting comfortable with each other, getting down to our rotation, how we want to build out, playing from the paint to the perimeter. We want to be the best defensive team in the league and tonight was a good start to that.”
Is LBJ ready for DPOY challenge?
LeBron James has been playing at MVP level throughout the start of the season and is currently leading the charts for the MVP race. However, it appears as though James’ goals are more team-oriented, and he wants to ensure the Lakers improve defensively. The Lakers’ performance against the Rockets is a good example of where they want to be as a defensive unit.
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USA Today via Reuters
Jan 8, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Will the Lakers end the season with the best defensive record in the league? If so, the Lakers stand a very good chance to have the best record in the league, given their very potent attack. If James leads the best defense in the league, he could be up for his first-ever Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
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