NBA Scout Slams Lakers Defense, Says They Play with 'Zero Physicality' amid Struggles

An anonymous NBA Western Conference scout took aim at the Los Angeles Lakers defense in an effort to explain their recent downturn in play.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the scout said the Lakers "weren't even trying" defensively during a 134-93 blowout loss to the Miami Heat last week, before adding: "The Lakers play with zero physicality. It's easy to get transition baskets. It's easy to score via pick-and-rolls. It's easy to post up and cut for easy baskets. Everything is just easy."

The Lakers came out of the gates hot this season with a 10-4 record, but everything has been a struggle since then, as they have dropped seven of their past 10 games and three of their past four.

Sunday's 107-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers not only ended a three-game losing streak for the Lakers, but it also marked the first time in 10 games that they didn't allow at least 100 points.

L.A. is 21st in the NBA defensively, allowing 115.8 points per game. It also allows the fifth-highest percentage of field goals and three-point attempts made at 48.4 percent and 37.2 percent, respectively.

Additionally, Los Angeles is 27th in the league in rebounding with 40.3 per game, which perhaps speaks to an overall lack of size and physicality.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis have led the way for the Lakers this season, and while the likes of Austin Reaves, D'Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht have been solid secondary and tertiary players offensively, they haven't done enough on defense.

As things stand entering play Friday, the Lakers are 13-11 on the season, which places them eighth in the Western Conference.

They are only one game out of fifth place, but they are also just one game out of 12th, so a winning or losing streak could significantly change their outlook.

The Lakers have consistently been linked to potential trades for the past couple of years, but they have largely kept the same core together and haven't made any big moves.

However, is head coach JJ Redick isn't able to get more out of the current group on the defensive end, perhaps general manager Rob Pelinka will finally bit the bullet and make a move meant to help on that front.