Overlook it nicely. The Lakers I wish to be nice.
It was the coach JJ RedickFriday night time’s halftime message to the Lakers, his frustration with the crew’s lack of consideration to defensive particulars turning first into just a few rage-induced timeouts, then right into a problem to his group of be higher.
The timing, coming with the Lakers main a sport they lastly had win 119-102 towards Atlanta, signifies one thing that has been percolating behind the scenes over the previous month, which is that the Lakers may really be onto one thing price investing in.
Because the crew moved Max Christie Within the beginning lineup on December 8, the Lakers are 8-3. They’re sixth within the NBA in defensive effectivity throughout that span. During the last seven video games, their offense has woken up. And their acquisition of Dorian Finney-Smithone of many prime gamers obtainable on the commerce market, not solely offers clues as to the kind of crew they’re making an attempt to construct, but in addition paves the way in which for Austin Reaves to try to turn out to be the crew’s third star.
This all purifies issues for Redick, common supervisor and vp of basketball operations Rob Pelinka and the group. With a month till the NBA commerce deadline and a positive schedule, the following step has folks across the league questioning which path the Lakers will go within the build-up to the February 6 commerce deadline.
As a substitute of frantically trying to find a 3rd star or getting their fingers on a beginning heart, the Lakers, rival executives imagine, will evolve in several methods than may need appeared earlier this season.
Christie gave the Lakers the form of defensive velocity and taking pictures they wished of their backcourt, taking part in out any fringe commerce conversations. And the Lakers’ resistance to a 3rd max-salary contract has solely elevated since their failed experiment with Russell Westbrook, with the constraints of latest wage cap guidelines making one of these roster building extra of an albatross than a luxurious. (Sorry, Jimmy Butler followers.)
There had been some consensus early within the season that the Lakers can be aggressive of their seek for a middle to play with. Anthony Davis or behind him, however the Finney-Smith acquisition makes that unlikely.
Lengthy linked to a participant like Washington’s Jonas Valanciunas, a goal of the crew this summer time in free company, it has turn out to be clear that the Lakers’ must develop aren’t as essential to them as their want to be quicker, extra athletic and extra dynamic.
Whereas groups have expressed curiosity in Utah heart Walker Kessler – together with the Lakers – the idea in NBA circles is that he’s not obtainable in any practical commerce state of affairs, with Utah opting to retaining among the finest rim protectors within the NBA till the deadline.
The crew most likely additionally used its most sensible commerce asset — D’Angelo Russell’s expiring contract — within the Finney-Smith deal.
A number of rival executives stated they do not assume the Lakers ought to make investments a few of their restricted recruiting capital (and tradeable contracts) on a participant who slows them down — and who, in a playoff sequence, would have a restricted position given the majority of heart minutes will nonetheless go to Davis.
Although the Lakers, and Redick has stated so, want extra toughness, discovering it on the perimeter reasonably than within the paint appears to be the aim.
Although the Lakers’ offense has elevated over the past seven video games, they’ve finished so whereas nonetheless being within the backside half of the league in three-point photographs tried and made. Focusing on taking pictures and athleticism on the perimeter – particularly within the type of a participant who can function off the ball – is one thing the Lakers ought to have their eyes on. Rival scouts and executives who agree with this are all the time fast to level out that nearly each contending crew is making an attempt so as to add sports activities shooters to their roster.
Study extra: JJ Redick Responds to Charles Barkley’s Criticism of ‘Useless Man Strolling’: ‘I Do not Care’
As a substitute of dashing right into a deal for a backup massive man, the Lakers have an actual want to see what their second unit will seem like as soon as Jared Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent are on the court docket collectively – one thing that hasn’t occurred but. produced solely as soon as there’s a season.
And Finney-Smith is a tricky, switchable, defensive-minded participant who could make nook threes at a excessive quantity. He is undoubtedly the form of participant Redick needs to have in his system, and even after three video games (and no precise apply), it is apparent how comfy Redick is teaching his former teammate in Dallas.
He challenged him by identify after the win over the Hawks, holding him instantly accountable for his protection within the first half whereas going out of his option to reward him for the way he recovered within the second half.
There may be additionally the current sport of LeBron James To think about, his weeklong absence firstly of the Lakers’ 8-3 streak led to a string of All-NBA-level video games from him as he celebrated his fortieth birthday final week. If this degree is sustainable to a sure extent, the Lakers’ possibilities of being a “nice” crew improve.
“We’re a method [from being great] to be sincere with you,” Reaves stated after the Lakers beat Atlanta. “However everyone seems to be working in the proper path to get there.”
Sunday’s sport in Houston might be an actual problem, with the Lakers having to beat what has turn out to be a poor sport because of the dimension and athleticism of the Rockets. And on Tuesday, towards a short-handed Dallas crew taking part in with out Luka Doncic, the Lakers’ protection should constantly take care of the kind of particulars it missed early Friday.
After that, the Lakers will play their subsequent eight video games in Los Angeles – an actual likelihood to solidify these final 4 weeks as greater than a blip of their season.
The adjustments the Lakers have already made to their roster will in the end dictate how they determine to maneuver subsequent — in the event that they transfer in any respect.
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This story was initially printed in Los Angeles Instances.
