For an individual who reveres Ernest Hemingway sufficient that he named his podcast after “The Old Man and the Sea,” rookie Lakers coach JJ Redick ought to be aware of one in all his favourite creator’s mantras.
“The first draft of everything is s—.”
It’s onerous to know the way a lot of this Lakers season is a continuation of the draft they filed a 12 months in the past — possessions routinely ending in stagnant isolation for LeBron James or Anthony Davis, the Lakers to whom the ball goes. Or, by hiring Redick, maybe the Lakers have made a major edit, including an emphasis on higher group and a rise in three-point taking pictures.
Redick’s now dormant podcast was named “The Old Man and the Three” in spite of everything.
The Lakers start their new season Tuesday with a mandate for change. A second-straight loss to the Denver Nuggets within the playoffs with only one whole win between the collection will power that.
But change may be onerous to come back by when the gamers on the court docket are largely the identical. And alter isn’t at all times for the higher, with on daily basis one other click on on James’ odometer that can, in one of many NBA’s nice mysteries, finally max out.
So what are the actionable issues inside the group’s management? Can Redick’s philosophies essentially change who the Lakers are, unlocking much more out of probably the most established gamers?
We’re about to search out out.
Identical because it ever was
Everytime you discuss a group and its fortunes, you must begin with the group’s skill to remain as near wholesome as attainable. Accidents undoubtedly impacted the Lakers’ fortunes final season. A few of Darvin Ham’s lineup inconsistencies and shuffling of starters may be tied to Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura each lacking parts of the season early within the 12 months. And Gabe Vincent, the group’s large signing in free company, by no means was wholesome and didn’t issue within the common season, leaving the Lakers with out two of their finest perimeter defenders in him and Vanderbilt.
Whereas the rotation obtained hit, the highest of the roster was remarkably wholesome. Davis missed solely six video games. Identical for D’Angelo Russell. James sat simply 11. Austin Reaves performed all 82.
Whereas the 124 mixed video games missed by Vincent and Vanderbilt completely factored in how the group carried out, it’s protected to say it influenced it lower than having the 4 main scorers nearly at all times on the court docket.
So sure, the Lakers fortunes this season shall be tied to well being, an space the place James’ age and Davis’ previous ought to at all times have them feeling somewhat uneasy. Each gamers are coming off the Olympics and have regarded in wonderful form throughout the preseason. However Redick is aware of that these minutes in Paris might have a long-term toll and can assuredly be monitoring it.
Is there one other stage for Anthony Davis?
The early-season consideration across the Lakers will heart on James and his son and teammate, Bronny, who will make historical past once they grow to be the primary father-son duo to share the court docket collectively within the NBA. That second might come as quickly as Tuesday, and the potential of it has pushed a lot of the dialogue across the group.
But, considerably quietly, Davis has been top-of-the-line gamers within the league this preseason.
“Being aggressive every time down the floor. Being dominant every game. Doing my job, doing my part in helping this team do what we got to do,” Davis mentioned of his expectations for himself. “That’s taking on a matchup defensively, taking on a role offensively, being a leader of the team, carrying us in games, playoffs, whatever it takes. We can’t rely heavily on our individual games and obviously it’s a team effort and what we’re trying to build.
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, defending Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo as he drives to the basket, was an All-Defensive first-team performer last season, but he’s striving to become defensive players of the year.
(Morry Gash / Associated Press)
“But for me personally, just taking it upon myself to make sure that I’m even better than what I was last year.”
He averaged 21.8 factors in simply 25.6 minutes (the second highest preseason scoring common) — the type of manufacturing and alternative with which Redick mentioned he hoped to empower Davis.
“I think we have not only one of the best players in the world, but one of the most unique players in the world in Anthony Davis because there are very few people that can do the things he can do at his size in terms of his ball handling, his skill level offensively and certainly the fact that he’s one of the best defensive players in the world,” Redick mentioned earlier than coaching camp.
He’s additionally tried to get Davis to be extra comfy behind the three-point line, one thing he confirmed in his preseason finale in Phoenix when he made 4 within the first quarter.
“It’s the willingness that is exciting right now. … He’s got to be willing. I think that’s the most important thing. I drew out the first play of the game for him to shoot a three. And he knocked it down,” Redick mentioned after the sport. “And, whether that’s confidence or relief, like he just, he was willing to shoot tonight. And we want him to be willing to shoot. That doesn’t mean he’s going to take nine threes a game. I don’t think that’s realistic. But he’s got to sprinkle it in there. “
Offense will never be the main draw for Davis. He returned to the All-Defensive first team for the first time in three seasons, though he’s still never won defensive player of the year.
Asked on media day what parts of his defensive game are undervalued, he didn’t hold back.
“All of it,” Davis mentioned. “Every part.”
Inside progress
Some of the frequent critiques across the league when it’s come to the Lakers has been the group’s incapability to win on the margins, to stack the little sorts of wins that may construct momentum and quantity to one thing larger.
Underneath Redick, the group and group has been dedicated to the sorts of trivialities that he values. They’ve made hires so as to add to their analytics division and medical groups — areas Redick actively screens.
The teaching employees, led by former head coaches Scott Brooks and Nate McMillan, has impressed folks across the group. And the overall “vibes,” within the phrases of a number of gamers, have been fairly good — the type of factor you’d anticipate early within the tenure of any new coach and his employees.
“They have assembled a coaching staff that’s holding everybody accountable,” LeBron James mentioned. “But more importantly, they just are making sure that we’re taking in all the details, taking in all the information at a pace that’s good for all of us.”
The Lakers appear primed to offer Reaves, Max Christie and rookie Dalton Knecht vital alternatives to play essential roles, with Reaves set to take a good larger leap beneath Redick’s system.
At the very least that’s the plan. The true exams, most assume, will come when adversity arises and adaptation is required.
On Sunday, two days earlier than his first actual recreation as a coach, Redick appeared like somebody who understood that.
“You do look for ways to maximize your players within some of your own philosophies, and then you also have to have some leeway to that to give them what they need to do [something] that maybe goes against your philosophies,” he mentioned. “And to be honest with you, there hasn’t been a lot of that. It’s mostly been same page and buy-in from everybody: coaches and players alike.”
The early model of the Lakers, the one Redick has seen in practices and within the restricted moments with the most effective gamers on the court docket within the preseason video games, has probably appeared ok.
However like every Hemingway fan is aware of, these first drafts at all times depart room for enchancment.
