The Los Angeles Lakers tip off the 2025-26 season Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors, and head coach JJ Redick had a clear message for his team ahead of the season opener.
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In order for the Lakers to thrive this year, Redick is adamant about the team’s defense reaching a cohesive level like last season.
“Essentially, it will have to be for us to be a good team,” Redick said of the Lakers’ defensive compatibility. “That’s the reality. That’s why building our habits, building our communication, and being in great shape is how you build a great defense. I could have put championship defense up there. What does that mean? It doesn’t mean anything. It literally doesn’t mean anything.
“How do you have a championship defense? You gotta have great habits. You gotta be able to communicate. You have to build trust. You gotta be in elite shape so you can play harder than the other team.”
The Lakers lacked perimeter defense last season, and it cost them a deep playoff run. Their weakness was exposed in the first round of the NBA playoffs in a tough matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In order to combat their defensive woes, the Lakers added Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia to improve the team’s perimeter defense. Moreover, Jarred Vanderbilt can also aid the purple and gold in that area.
While Redick’s intentions to instill better defensive habits into his players are there, neither of the three players were included in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s matchup against the Warriors.
The opening night starting lineup for the Lakers will feature Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton — none of whom are defensive specialists. However, Ayton will play a key role in Redick’s aspirations to transform the team’s defense.
The Lakers signed Ayton in the offseason, and he’s been given a clear task to protect the rim in his inaugural season in LA. The success of the Lakers is directly correlated to Ayton’s performance night in and night out.
The Lakers are officially embarking on a new era with Doncic at the helm, and all eyes will be on the team this season as the organization makes the shift. Doncic won’t have the support of superstar LeBron James until reportedly mid-November, as the 40-year-old recovers from sciatica on his right side.
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