In a bold new era for the Los Angeles Lakers, JJ Redick has taken the helm as head coach, determined to reshape the team’s offensive identity. With only two regular-season games under their belt, the Lakers are already showing signs of transformation under Redick’s guidance, particularly in their approach to perimeter shooting and offensive movement.
Redick's Vision for the Lakers
Redick, a former NBA sharpshooter, has brought his expertise in outside shooting to the forefront of the Lakers' strategy. He aims to increase the team's three-point attempts significantly. Currently, the Lakers are averaging 28.5 three-point attempts per game, but Redick is setting the bar much higher. "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," he stated, signaling a clear intent to amplify their shooting from beyond the arc.
Offensive Adjustments
Beyond three-pointers, the Lakers seem to be addressing last season’s shortcomings in offensive movement. Criticized previously for stagnant play, the team has ramped up its activity on the floor. This season, they have already scored 37 points off cuts, averaging an impressive 18.5 points per game in this area, showcasing their ability to create scoring opportunities through dynamic play.
Passing has also seen a notable increase, a critical change aimed at facilitating the faster, more precise offense Redick envisions. In their season opener, the Lakers recorded 334 passes, a significant jump from last season’s average of 267.5 passes per game. This increase speaks to a more fluid, team-oriented approach that has been a hallmark of Redick’s leadership so far.
Balancing Inside and Outside Play
While the focus has been on improving perimeter shooting, the Lakers have not abandoned their inside game. Their performance against Minnesota illustrated this dual-threat potential, as they outscored opponents by 32 points in the paint. Additionally, the Lakers have been aggressive in drawing fouls, with 64 trips to the foul line over just two games. This balanced approach is critical to preventing the team from becoming one-dimensional, thus enabling them to adapt to various defensive challenges.
Redick’s Lakers are looking to become a team that can hurt opponents from both inside and out. The ambition is to run a more versatile offense, as evidenced by their game against the Phoenix Suns, where they assisted on 33 of their 40 field goals. This kind of ball movement not only maximizes scoring chances but also reflects the team’s growing cohesion.
Challenges and Promising Signs
Despite the promising signs, the Lakers have faced challenges early on. They lost a preseason game to the Golden State Warriors on October 15, highlighting areas that still need improvement. However, these setbacks are part of the growing pains of adopting a new system and identity on the court.
Redick's vision for the Lakers is ambitious. It involves not just increasing three-point attempts or passing metrics but cultivating a culture that embraces dynamic, relentless, and smart basketball. It's a vision that’s starting to take shape—evident in those early passing statistics and their strategic play in the paint.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how the Lakers continue to evolve under Redick’s command. With a focus on shooting, passing, and inside dominance, the team is on a path to redefine itself in the NBA spectrum. Though it remains to be seen how the burgeoning strategies will translate into wins, the foundation is being carefully laid down for a Lakers team that is both exciting and unpredictable.