Dalton Knecht's journey in the California Classic has hit a few unanticipated bumps, as the young talent has found it challenging to regain his rhythm on the court. During the Los Angeles Lakers' recent matchup against the Golden State Warriors, which ended in a harsh 92-68 defeat, Knecht managed to score 12 points. However, his shooting performance revealed a struggle, hitting just 3-of-13 from the field in his 22 minutes of play.
The previous game offered little solace for Knecht, marking a similar pattern. He wrapped up Saturday's contest with a 3-of-12 shooting record. These back-to-back performances reflect a concerning trend, underscored by his 2-of-15 accuracy on jumpers across the two games, translating to a mere 13.3% success rate.
Despite his early difficulties, Knecht's presence on the floor isn't solely defined by his shooting woes. He has shown an ability to draw fouls, making his way to the free-throw line 14 times across the two games. Additionally, he's managed a reasonable 50% conversion rate at the rim, hitting 4-of-8 shots.
From College Star to Early Struggles
Knecht's sluggish start in the summer league stands in stark contrast to his stellar final collegiate season at Tennessee. There, he averaged a remarkable 21.7 points per game and had a reliable shooting touch, hitting 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, according to Synergy Sports. His collegiate performance positioned him as a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the draft, though he ultimately slid out of the lottery on draft night.
Understanding the context is vital. Knecht himself acknowledges the challenge of rediscovering his form after an extended hiatus. "I haven't played since March. Just finding my rhythm again and keep playing with these new guys and keep adjusting… Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot," Knecht remarked, emphasizing his determination to break out of the slump.
Patience and Potential
Despite the rough start, there's no shortage of belief in Knecht's skills within the Lakers' organization. Lakers’ summer league coach, Dane Johnson, stressed the importance of patience during the process. "Just being patient with it. It's a long summer league. It's going to come. He's a great player, so I'm not worried about him missing some of the shots he's taking. He's a great shooter. Let the game come to him. There are some [flashes] where you see that he's got it," Johnson said.
The Lakers have one more game on their California Classic schedule, set against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. This final game offers Knecht another opportunity to demonstrate his talent and start building momentum heading into the heart of summer league action.
The road to professional prowess is often fraught with initial setbacks, and Knecht's early struggles might well be a temporary phase. Basketball careers are marathons, not sprints, and the raw talent Knecht exhibited at Tennessee is a testament to his potential for growth and adaptation. For now, the young shooter remains focused on regaining his footing and showcasing the skills that once made him a top draft prospect.
As the summer league progresses, both Knecht and the Lakers will be hoping for a turnaround. If he can rekindle the shooting spark that impressed scouts during his collegiate days, this rocky start will soon become a footnote in a promising career.