Lakers News: Avery Bradley Uses Steph Curry As Sample Of Defensive Things To Come

One of the new guys on the Los Angeles Lakers roster is Avery Bradley. Though he has been known more like a guy who can shoot from the outside, the 28-year-old vowed he would focus on the defensive end. He showed a glimpse of things to come in the Lakers 123-101 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Bradley did not score a single point for the Lakers. With the talent on the purple and gold roster, helping out in scoring was not really needed. Instead, he focused on something the Lakers have been sorely lacking - defense. He made life difficult for Stephen Curry who shot 3 of 7 from the field, finishing with 18 points in 18 minutes of action, The Athletic reported.

“Steph gets his first touch of the ball and that guy is right under his chin,” Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said to reporters after the game. “That sets a tone for our defense. So, a few possessions later, Steph is supposed to bring it up and he’s advancing it with the pass. So he’s really changed what their look is like.”

Bradley got the starting nod for the Lakers alongside JaVale McGee, Danny Green, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis. It remains to be seen if this will be the regular first five of the Lakers. However, seeing that the group was successful, it may be the one used by Vogel moving forward.

Seeing Bradley focus on the defensive end hardly comes as a surprise. In a previous post, he already stressed that he wants to show everyone that he is the best perimeter defender in the NBA. With the offense expected to be centered on James and Davis, Bradley could be the spark on the defensive end and probably take some outside shots when the opportunity comes.

The now defensive-minded guard who holds career averages of 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, should give the Lakers that energy to ignite its much-expected explosive offense. Bradley seems aware that most will be looking to score for the purple and gold. Now, he seems dialed in on making sure that the same does not come easy to whoever Vogel would assign him to guard.