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Skip Bayless Believes The Lakers Downgraded By Replacing Dwight With Montrezl Harrell: “Trez Got Exposed In The Bubble”
Just coming off a championship season, Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers are proving that they aren’t satisfied with winning just one championship by being very aggressive in this year’s free agency, looking to improve the team in order to retain their Larry O’Brien trophy in the upcoming 2021 NBA season.
One of the biggest moves they made this year was adding former Clippers big man, Montrezl Harrell to the purple and gold roster. Harrell played off the bench last year and averaged 18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game on 58.0% shooting from the field, good enough to earn him the ‘Sixth Man of the Year’ award over Dennis Schröder, who will be his teammate now, and Lou Williams.
While most NBA fans, especially Lakers fans were thrilled to see Harrell come to the Lakers knowing that he’s such a productive player who can bring energy and grit on the floor, NBA analyst Skip Bayless however, remained unimpressed as he believes that the Lakers defense took a hit by replacing Dwight Howard with Harrell who got exposed in the NBA bubble.
“Trez got exposed in the Bubble. Especially against Denver, had no chance trying to guard any big. Whether it was Plumlee or especially Jokic. You know why? Trez is listed at 6’8, he cannot guard the post. He cannot rim protect. He’s a liability on defense. He is a beast on offense, I give you that.”
“He will attack like crazy. I think he was fourth in the NBA in points in the paint because that’s what he does. He can’t shoot, but he can attack. So is that all you got? Because your defense just took a huge hit.”
"The Lakers have lost their 2 key pieces who gave them some real mental toughness, edge and nastiness that they don't have. You lost Rondo and Dwight. And you lost JaVale! When he blocked shots they stayed blocked."@RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/rainxzS0MS
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) November 23, 2020
