The Los Angeles Lakers have seen a notable change in their strategic approach this NBA season, with new head coach JJ Redick at the helm. In his inaugural season as head coach, Redick has brought a fresh perspective, focusing on increasing the team's offensive dynamism and three-point shooting volume.
Redick's Vision for the Lakers
Renowned for his shooting acumen during his playing days, Redick is determined to instill a similar ethos in his Lakers squad. One of his primary objectives is to significantly boost the team's perimeter shooting. "If you look at it, for us and our group to take 40 threes in a game, that's promising. It's promising. We can get it up to 50, hopefully, but 40 is good," he stated. This ambition to increase three-point attempts by five or six per game aims to enhance the Lakers' offensive threat significantly.
Currently, the Lakers average 28.5 three-point attempts per game. Redick's goal could transform the team into a formidable outside attacking force if successfully implemented.
Performance and Statistics
With two regular-season games in the books, the Lakers have illustrated a balanced inside-outside game structure. Despite losing a preseason clash to the Golden State Warriors on October 15, the team has shown resilience and progress in different facets of their play. In a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, they dominated in the paint, outscoring the Timberwolves by a substantial 32-point margin.
Additionally, the Lakers have earned 64 trips to the foul line over two games, underscoring their aggressive attacking approach. Improvements are also evident in their movement without the ball, addressing last season's widespread criticism about the team's stagnant offense. This season, they've netted 37 points from cuts, averaging 18.5 points per game—indicators of increased on-court activity and purposeful movement.
Enhanced Passing and Team Play
A notable shift is evident in the Lakers' passing game. In their season opener, they recorded 334 passes, a significant leap from last season's average of 267.5 passes per game. This increase represents a concerted effort to enhance ball movement and achieve higher offensive efficiency, with the game against the Phoenix Suns serving as a prime example. The Lakers assisted on an impressive 33 of their 40 field goals in this clash, illustrating collaborative team play and efficient execution.
Strategic Balance
While Redick is keen on ramping up three-point attempts, the Lakers are equally focused on maintaining their strong inside presence. This dual-threat approach is intended to keep opponents off-balance, forcing them to guard multiple facets of the Lakers' offensive game. This flexibility is crucial in an NBA that increasingly values diversified offensive arsenals.
As the season unfolds, JJ Redick's influence on the Lakers promises a shift that could redefine the team's dynamics. His strategies are not just about ramping up the numbers; they're about instilling a more fluid and unpredictable style of basketball. The coming games will test the effectiveness of these new strategies and whether they can translate into consistent wins.
Redick's Lakers are on a journey of transformation. With an increased focus on movement, passing, and shooting, the season ahead holds intriguing possibilities for the iconic franchise. If these aspirations are realized, Lakers fans can look forward to a revitalized team that's both competitive and enjoyable to watch.