5 Things we learned from LeBron James' first Lakers game

#5 But the Lakers need a facelift on defense

Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers

One major area of concern that became amply clear is that the Lakers are wafer-thin on the defensive front. On top of not having a reliable backup center for JaVale, who will likely play 20-odd minutes per game because of his fouling tendencies and overall playing style, the Lakers' best perimeter defenders will likely not be members of their clutch lineups at the start of the season.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Lonzo Ball, the two defenders I'm talking about, are the only respectable perimeter defenders on their roster, but both blow hot and cold from range and will have to win their share of minutes in the presence of superior scorers on the roster. Kuzma is positively a sieve, Ingram's instincts are not elite while Josh Hart is too undersized to guard the biggest wings in the league.

Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley and Rondo are all bad defenders - Rondo has good instincts but has lost his lateral speed from his peak days and is now prime pick-and-roll fodder. LeBron himself is ageing and that is clearest on the defensive side of the game, and he needs better personnel to establish the Lakers as an elite Western Conference playoff team.