Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia is crediting veteran guard Marcus Smart with significantly improving his defensive game. What began as attentive listening during LaRavia’s early days with the Memphis Grizzlies has blossomed into a tangible skillset contributing to the Lakers’ defensive efforts this season. The impact of Smart’s mentorship is becoming increasingly evident as the Lakers prepare for the postseason.
LaRavia, now in his second NBA season, recalls seeking guidance from Smart, a 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, while navigating his initial challenges in the league. During the 2023-2024 season, with the Grizzlies struggling and Smart sidelined with injuries – a foot sprain and a partial tear in his finger limited him to just 25 games – LaRavia found a valuable resource on the bench. The lessons imparted by Smart focused on the nuances of defensive positioning, hand usage, generating deflections, and timing steals.
“He taught me a lot about my positioning,” LaRavia said on Thursday in Denver, as reported by the Southern California News Group. “When he wasn’t playing and I was playing, it was good, given that he was just able to kind of teach me more about defensive positioning, hands, deflections, the best time to get steals, stuff like that.”
The connection between Smart and LaRavia extends beyond their time in Memphis. Both players are now key components of the Lakers’ roster, along with Luke Kennard, who was acquired via trade. Lakers coach JJ Redick has publicly acknowledged LaRavia’s growth, noting his disruptive ability to create steals and deflections. Redick praised LaRavia’s physicality and execution of defensive principles, particularly off-ball, during a recent postgame analysis.
Smart’s Impact Extends to Game Strategy
Redick highlighted how Smart’s defensive prowess influences the Lakers’ game plan. On Tuesday, following a victory over the Novel Orleans Pelicans, Redick pointed to Smart’s defensive stand – four steals and three blocked shots – as a catalyst for a crucial run and a Pelicans timeout. “He has starred in his role for what we require from him consistently throughout the year,” Redick said. “He’s, I think, played great basketball for the last five, six weeks, and that starts at the defensive end.”
The Lakers coach further explained that Smart and LaRavia’s defensive profiles are considered when determining which player will capture on the toughest defensive assignment in a given game. Smart currently leads the Lakers in steals over his last 10 games, averaging 1.9 per game, and ranks second to backup center Jaxson Hayes with a plus-minus of 6.6, according to team statistics.
LaRavia Attributes Team Energy to Smart’s Tenacity
LaRavia isn’t surprised by Smart’s continued impact. He attributes the team’s overall defensive energy to Smart’s relentless hustle and commitment. “He just brings energy every night,” LaRavia said. “The hustle plays, like when he dives on the ball, when he gets those 50/50 balls, when he gets steals, when he gets stops. Like he just brings so much energy and tenacity to the defensive side, so we kind of all just rally behind him.”
The evolution of LaRavia’s game, guided by Smart’s expertise, underscores the importance of veteran leadership and mentorship within the Lakers organization. The pair’s shared history with the Grizzlies appears to have fostered a strong on-court connection that is benefiting the Lakers as they approach the playoffs.
As the Lakers continue their push toward the postseason, the defensive contributions of both Smart and LaRavia will be critical. The team will likely lean on their combined experience and understanding to navigate challenging matchups and maintain a consistent defensive intensity. The ongoing development of this defensive synergy will be a key factor to watch in the coming weeks.
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