Originally published by LakersNation.com
The big move for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason was bringing in Walker Kessler to be their long-term answer at the center position.
It came at a steep cost as the Lakers gave up two first-round picks and two swaps to complete a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz and then signed the 25-year-old to a four-year, $130 million contract. One person who is clearly happy about the Kessler addition though is Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
“I think Walker’s a perfect fit for Luka and AR,” Redick said at his annual preseason press conference. “Just in terms of his rim protection and really being an anchor for our defense, it’s an area we’ve struggled with.
“I know we have switched a lot 1-5 over the years; that has been by necessity. We look at him as someone we want close to the basket, protecting the rim. He’s been an excellent rebounder throughout his career, both offensively and defensively. And then he’s very capable of playing in the pocket and playing at the rim with lobs. We know both our guys love throwing lobs. We led the league in lob dunks last season. If you canvassed the league and looked at age groups, even the ability to acquire someone, he’s just the perfect fit for those guys and building out the next phase of the Lakers.”
Redick elaborated on how having Kessler will change things for the Lakers defensively.
“I think it changes how we scheme overall,” he said. “Not to get into details, but you guys obviously watched the playoffs and probably have a basic idea of how San Antonio used Wemby; kept him low and kept him by the basket. And then the addition of guys like Ziaire and Matisse, Adou has had an unbelievable last two months of development. It’s the first stretch he’s had since we drafted him where he’s had uninterrupted time in the gym. His body has been in great shape and he’s just gotten better. Our development of Cam Carr is crucial, Quentin Grimes.
“We have guys that can pick up fullcourt and guard, be disruptive. And then we have Walker back there. Of course, there’s versatility with Mamu and we know what Looney brings. I think just the combination of Walker’s ability to protect the rim and the wing defenders we have, we’re really excited about that.”
Rob Pelinka agrees with JJ Redick’s assessment of Walker Kessler
When Ron Pelinka was talking about the addition of Kessler, he agreed with Redick’s assertion that the big man is a perfect fit on this Lakers roster.
“Walker Kessler makes Luka better, he makes Austin better, and vice versa. So it’s just the perfect fit. We didn’t see any opportunity like that coming down the pike anytime soon,” Pelinka concluded.
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The big move for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason was bringing in Walker Kessler to be their long-term answer at the center position.
It came at a steep cost as the Lakers gave up two first-round picks and two swaps to complete a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz and then signed the 25-year-old to a four-year, $130 million contract. One person who is clearly happy about the Kessler addition though is Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
“I think Walker’s a perfect fit for Luka and AR,” Redick said at his annual preseason press conference. “Just in terms of his rim protection and really being an anchor for our defense, it’s an area we’ve struggled with.
“I know we have switched a lot 1-5 over the years; that has been by necessity. We look at him as someone we want close to the basket, protecting the rim. He’s been an excellent rebounder throughout his career, both offensively and defensively. And then he’s very capable of playing in the pocket and playing at the rim with lobs. We know both our guys love throwing lobs. We led the league in lob dunks last season. If you canvassed the league and looked at age groups, even the ability to acquire someone, he’s just the perfect fit for those guys and building out the next phase of the Lakers.”
Redick elaborated on how having Kessler will change things for the Lakers defensively.
“I think it changes how we scheme overall,” he said. “Not to get into details, but you guys obviously watched the playoffs and probably have a basic idea of how San Antonio used Wemby; kept him low and kept him by the basket. And then the addition of guys like Ziaire and Matisse, Adou has had an unbelievable last two months of development. It’s the first stretch he’s had since we drafted him where he’s had uninterrupted time in the gym. His body has been in great shape and he’s just gotten better. Our development of Cam Carr is crucial, Quentin Grimes.
“We have guys that can pick up fullcourt and guard, be disruptive. And then we have Walker back there. Of course, there’s versatility with Mamu and we know what Looney brings. I think just the combination of Walker’s ability to protect the rim and the wing defenders we have, we’re really excited about that.”
Rob Pelinka agrees with JJ Redick’s assessment of Walker Kessler
When Ron Pelinka was talking about the addition of Kessler, he agreed with Redick’s assertion that the big man is a perfect fit on this Lakers roster.
“Walker Kessler makes Luka better, he makes Austin better, and vice versa. So it’s just the perfect fit. We didn’t see any opportunity like that coming down the pike anytime soon,” Pelinka concluded.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
