New Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler is expected to have a huge impact on the team this season and in many years to come. Kessler will undoubtedly benefit offensively by playing alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, but where he thrives most is on the defensive end.
Kessler is one of the best rim protectors in the NBA and really takes pride on that end of the floor. In fact, the big man made it clear that he’d rather seal a game with a block than a bucket on offense.
“If people ask two things I do really well it’d probably be these two things,” Kessler said of dunking and blocking shots during a ‘Get to Know’ segment on Lakers YouTube. “Obviously I think I can do a little more than that, but you know, this is a good staple piece. I would rather have a game-winning block I think, rather than a game-winning dunk. Just because I think stopping someone and breaking their hopes and dreams of ever trying to win is…that sounds terrible. I don’t mean it like that. But I would say game-winning block (laughs).”
Maybe Kessler didn’t mean to get as deep as he started in talking about crushing the hopes and dreams of his opponents by denying them at the rim. But that is the type of mindset he needs to have as the anchor of this Lakers defense. He will be the deterrent to anyone trying to get in the paint and embracing that defensive mindset is important to his success individually, and the Lakers as a team.
Kessler has averaged 2.4 blocks per game in his NBA career and in his final collegiate season led the entire NCAA in blocks and was named Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. Needless to say he has always thrived in that role as a true rim protector and the Lakers are looking for more of the same now that he is in the purple and gold.
He will get the opportunity to show off his offensive skills as well and will get plenty of easy buckets, but leading this Lakers defense is his top priority and he is ready to do just that.
Austin Reaves happy to have Walker Kessler on Lakers
Kessler actually has some history with one of his new Lakers teammates as he and Reaves were both part of the Team USA squad that played in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. And Reaves is happy to have him as his teammate on the Lakers now.
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