The Los Angeles Lakers were already considered championship contenders before they signed Christian Wood a few weeks ago, and he could make them even stronger favorites this season.
Wood represents the Lakers’ wild card. He comes in with a checkered reputation, but perhaps playing for a team with a winning culture and a well-defined leadership hierarchy will bring out the best in him. His ability to score, finish strong at the rim and hit from the outside could greatly bolster L.A.’s chances of success.
Buy Lakers TicketsWood will almost certainly play a significant number of minutes with Anthony Davis this season. During media day on Monday, he talked about how he can be a good fit with Davis, especially on the defensive end.
Christian Wood describes how his game will look alongside Anthony Davis#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/5M1iKSP0FM
— LakeShow Highlights (@LSH_lakeshow) October 2, 2023
“We actually talked a lot,” said Wood. “He’s recruited me to try to come here during the summer as well. I think with his length, him being able to block shots, my length being able to block shots — I can piggyback off of him. He could help me defensively. I can help him offensively. I think we can just really figure each other out and get this thing going. I think our length and my ability to be able to switch on the perimeter and guard some guards sometimes, and his ability to guard one through five is kind of good.”
It’s encouraging to hear Wood talk about the defensive end of the court since much of his checkered reputation has to do with that facet of the game. However, his length and athleticism give him the ability to at least be a decent defender and occasionally block shots, perhaps as a help defender.
The 6-foot-9, 28-year-old big man (he turned 28 on Sept. 27) has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only erase his bad reputation but to permanently replace it with a sterling one as a winner.
