LOS ANGELES – Amid the Los Angeles Lakers ’ 12-4 start to the season, they are among the middle of the pack when it comes to the defensive end. The Lakers’ defense could stand to get better , but the team has had a few strong individual defenders this year, including Marcus Smart .

Lakers head coach has called Marcus Smart the quarterback of the team’s defense so far, a label that Redick often used to describe LeBron James’ effort defensively last season. As such, Smart generally has a good pulse of where the team’s defense is to begin the season, and where they can stand to improve.

Following Lakers’ practice on Saturday afternoon, Smart issued a grade for the Lakers’ defense through the first month of the regular season.

“For us, I think we have a long way to go, but we like w

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