The last few years have been rough, to say the least for the Los Angeles Lakers. The team has been a perennial bottomfeeder in the Western Conference with no clear future in the post-Kobe Bryant era.

With the arrival of Lonzo Ball and the potentially promising careers of Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and others, the future may be bright in Los Angeles. Unfortunately for the Lakers, it will still take time to rebuild this team and the key, according to head coach Luke Walton, is defense.

julius randle
J Alexander Diaz/Lakers.com

Walton spoke to the media after Monday's practice and let it be known that improving defensively is the focal point moving forward.

“Defense is what wins championships,” Walton said. “Until we get good at that, that's the most important thing that we're going to continue to focus on.

“Offense, to me, as our players play more games, our team is relatively new together from injuries to offseason moves. Offense is much easier. Players like playing it more. That'll come when we're ready for it, but right now, the fact that defense is holding us in games, I love that.”

Currently, the Lakers are tied with the New Orleans Pelicans in terms of opponents points per game at 108.8. That's 22nd in the NBA right now, and not the greatest stat considering the team scores 101.8 per contest.

Of course, some of the best teams in the league or perceived best teams are also giving up a lot of points on a nightly basis. The Golden State Warriors are tied for 27th with the Minnesota Timberwolves at 114.3 while the Cleveland Cavaliers (25th) aren't much better with LeBron James and company giving up 110.1 points per game.

Fortunately for Los Angeles, the team's flaws on the defensive end of the floor are fixable. With the energy some of the players have been playing with so far this season, it may be only a matter of time before the Lakers become a force defensively.