After the Los Angeles Lakers‘ loss to the Brooklyn Nets, JJ Redick’s team has now suffered two consecutive defeats following an impressive eight-game winning streak. The team’s recent absences have significantly impacted the balance they maintained throughout the season. However, Redick offered a strong assessment after the loss, emphasizing that those absences are not an excuse.
“A very low-level communication game for our team. I don’t think being short-handed is an excuse for how we played basketball tonight…I just think it was an overall mentality tonight to take shortcuts…They scored 20 points on us gambling… We ball-watched all night… Just shortcuts. If you want to be a good team and win in the NBA, you gotta do the hard stuff. We couldn’t even pass to each other or enter our offense… Don’t know what we’re doing… We just gotta be better,” explained Redick.
Despite many fans blaming the loss on LeBron’s absence, JJ Redick suggested the issues run deeper. He noted that both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves struggled with shooting efficiency. Redick attributed their offensive struggles to the heavy defensive workload they carried throughout the game. However, offense was not the only concern.
The Lakers, known for strong defensive performances in previous games, struggled to maintain that same intensity on defense. The absences of Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith have been significant. Without them, the team lacks the balance that allowed Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic to thrive more easily. However, JJ Redick still has several players who can and must step up to help restore the defensive stability that previously fueled their success.
Despite concerns from many fans, the Lakers are far from being in a slump. JJ Redick has shown he’s capable of guiding the team through tough stretches. Additionally, they have a strong opportunity to bounce back with upcoming games against the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets, where they can snap their brief losing streak.
Lakers star player Luka Doncic disagrees with JJ Redick’s remarks after tough loss
Despite JJ Redick’s detailed analysis of the Lakers’ loss to the Nets, Luka Doncic has another perspective and says he disagrees with the head coach: “When JJ said about communication today, that wasn’t on point…And that’s my fault, and we should’ve done better.“ Although Luka Doncic managed to post a triple-double against the Nets, his shooting accuracy was not as high as usual.
Lakers fans expect much more from Luka Doncic, and the player knows it. Instead of making excuses, he took responsibility and acknowledged his performance. However, patience is key with Doncic. He is still adapting to the team and working to regain his best form. His self-criticism reflects his determination to succeed with the Lakers and meet the high expectations placed on him.