Sat Oct 05 06:34:50 UTC 2024: ## Lakers’ New Coach JJ Redick Starts Tenure With A Steal – But Not On The Court
In his first game as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, former NBA player and broadcaster JJ Redick implemented a play he learned from Connecticut Huskies coach Dan Hurley. The play, which involves placing a non-shooting big man in the corner for a cross-court skip pass, was initially observed by Redick during a podcast interview with Hurley. While it didn’t lead to points in the Lakers’ preseason opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, it marked an interesting start to Redick’s coaching career.
Despite the Lakers’ 124-107 loss, Redick’s focus remained on the process, encouraging his players to focus on organization and structure rather than immediate results.
Rookie Dalton Knecht and third-year guard Max Christie showed promise, with Knecht leading the team with 16 points and Christie contributing 11 points and 7 rebounds. Bronny James, playing his first NBA game, impressed with a driving layup and three blocked shots, although his role for the season remains unclear.
The Lakers are emphasizing three-point shooting under Redick, but they struggled from deep in the preseason opener, shooting only 10-for-32.
Despite the loss, the Lakers are optimistic about the potential of their younger players and are focusing on building a strong foundation under Redick’s leadership.
First Piper 