Quentin Grimes is locked in on getting back to his defensive roots with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the word he used to describe it? “Nastiness.” That’s the vibe the Lakers are after, trying to tap into the same intense, on-ball defender who first carved out a spot in the New York Knicks’ rotation. It’s clear what they expect from Grimes heading into the season.
Bringing Back That “Thibs” Intensity
Back in his early days with the Knicks, Grimes wasn’t just a guy who could knock down catch-and-shoot threes or finish around the basket. He was a *problem* on defense. He broke into the starting lineup by being a physical, on-ball menace, gluing himself to offensive stars and fighting like crazy over screens. That defensive acumen was his ticket, his “foot in the door” to the league. But then came his 1.5 seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he showed growth as a ball handler and shot creator, but maybe lost a bit of that defensive edge.
Now, the Lakers want that old Grimes back, that pure defensive “mojo.” Grimes himself said, “We’ve already had conversations with JJ and [assistant coach] Greg [St. Jean] trying to get me back to my first couple years in New York when Thibs kind of gave me a lot of responsibility being a point of attack defender. Bringing that intensity, bringing that nastiness.” He pointed to teams like OKC and San Antonio playing “really hard defensively” and how you “can get away with a lot more” with that kind of effort. He’s talking about setting a tone, with guys like Collin, Matisse, and Ziaire, to be one of the toughest, hardest playing teams on that end. That’s a huge statement from a guy who knows what it takes.
Why the Lakers Need Grimes to Be a Defensive Dog
With Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves leading the charge offensively, the Lakers aren’t looking for Grimes to be a primary ball-handler or shot creator. They’ve got that covered. What they desperately need is more “juice at the point of attack” defensively, especially after Marcus Smart’s departure in free agency. Grimes’ defensive intensity wasn’t quite at the same level in Philadelphia as it was with the Knicks, partly because he was asked to do more offensively. The Lakers’ plan is pretty clear: let Dončić and Reaves handle the bulk of the offense, simplify Grimes’ responsibilities on that end, and unleash him defensively.
If this strategy works, it’s a game-changer. Imagine Grimes locking down opposing guards like he did in New York, frustrating their best offensive players. That’s the vision.
The Perfect Complement to L.A.’s Stars
Don’t get it twisted, Grimes still needs to contribute on the offensive end. The Lakers want him to keep converting efficiently around the basket, and they need his three-point shot to be closer to his career 36.6 percent clip than the 33.4 percent he shot last year. But those are secondary concerns. If Grimes can rediscover his lockdown defense from his Knicks days and remain a reliable play-finisher, he won’t just be a good player for the Lakers, he’ll be the *perfect complement* to Los Angeles’ backcourt stars. The stage is set for Grimes to prove he can bring that “nastiness” and be a crucial two-way player for the Lakers this season. We’re about to see just how much of that New York fire he can bring to Hollywood.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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