Walker Kessler already likes what he's seeing from the Los Angeles Lakers' defense.
"Listen, I think we're going to be a nasty defensive team," Kessler told reporters Tuesday, including ESPN's Ben Golliver. "I think people aren't taking into account how good our perimeter defense is going to be. A lot of guys are very smart on the perimeter and positionally can play really good defense. We have guys who are just ball hawks."
Los Angeles acquired Kessler over the summer in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz. The 7-foot-2 center should bolster a Lakers team that finished 20th in defensive efficiency and tied for 22nd in blocks last season.
Kessler's become one of the NBA's premier rim-protectors through his first three seasons after placing in the top five in blocks in each campaign. But he isn't the only player the Lakers are relying on to turn around their defense.
Los Angeles also signed two-time All-Defensive second-team selection Matisse Thybulle and 3-and-D wing Quentin Grimes in free agency.
Kessler praised the duo as well as fellow newcomers Collin Sexton and Ziaire Williams for their ability to apply pressure.
"Having those guys that can steal the ball ... (and) when they do get beat, be able to recover, it makes my job a lot easier," Kessler said. "It's a lot easier to block a shot when a dude has someone on his hip instead of an open lane toward the basket."
