Los Angeles Lakers: New Leadership, New Strategy
The Los Angeles Lakers, under the new leadership of head coach JJ Redick, have embarked on their season with a distinct shift in strategy and style. Redick, a former NBA sharpshooter known for his perimeter prowess, has taken the helm with a clear objective: to bolster the Lakers' offensive capabilities from beyond the three-point line.
In their initial outings this season, the Lakers have already showcased elements of this transformation. After playing two regular-season games, the team averages 28.5 three-point attempts per game. Redick's vision is ambitious but clear: he aims to increase these attempts by five or six more each game, bringing a stronger focus to long-range shooting.
"If you look at it, for us and our group to take 40 3s in a game, that's promising. It's promising. We can get it up to 50, hopefully, but 40 is good," Redick asserts. His comments echo a philosophy that prioritizes heavy perimeter play while maintaining a robust presence inside the paint.
Scoring Dynamics: Inside and Out
The Lakers' recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves exemplifies this dual focus. While they dominated the inside game by outscoring Minnesota by 32 points in the paint, their perimeter strategy remains a top priority. This balanced approach gives the Lakers an edge, making them unpredictable and challenging to defend.
Alongside bolstering their three-point attempts, the Lakers are emphasizing more dynamic offensive movement. This season, the team has scored an impressive 37 points off cuts, translating to an average of 18.5 points per game. Such movement is a marked improvement from last season when the Lakers faced criticism for a stagnant offense.
Ball Movement and Playmaking
Another significant shift under Redick is the increase in ball movement. In their season opener, the Lakers recorded 334 passes, a substantial increase from last season's average of 267.5 passes per game. This strategy came to the forefront during their match against the Phoenix Suns, where the Lakers assisted on 33 of their 40 field goals. This focus on teamwork and effective ball distribution is intended not only to open up more scoring opportunities but also to keep opponents' defenses on their back foot.
Challenges and Adjustments
Despite these strategic improvements, the Lakers have faced setbacks. They recently lost a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors on October 15, a reminder of the competitive landscape of the league. However, the learning curve appears to be benefiting the team as they explore these new strategies under Redick's guidance.
Moreover, getting to the line has been another area of strength, with the Lakers earning 64 trips to the foul line over their initial two games. This aggressive approach not only helps to pile on points but also places significant pressure on opposing defenses.
The Path Forward
As Redick continues to recalibrate the team's playing style, the challenge will be maintaining consistency and execution of these strategies against a variety of opponents. The increased focus on perimeter shooting, combined with strong inside plays and enhanced offensive movement, sets the stage for what could be a pivotal season for the storied franchise.
The Lakers' faithful, and the basketball world at large, will be watching closely as JJ Redick works to marry the fundamentals of his playing days with the responsibilities of coaching, all while leading the Lakers on a path to potential success in this new era. Whether this adaptation leads to tangible results on the court remains to be seen, but the promise of change and evolution is undeniably compelling.