Trending topics:
nba

Lakers News: JJ Redick shows confidence towards Dalton Knecht amid shooting struggles

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick expressed his confidence in rookie Dalton Knecht despite the player’s ongoing shooting struggles.

Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns
© Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesHead coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns

The Los Angeles Lakers brought in Dalton Knecht in the NBA Draft to boost their offensive firepower with his shooting ability. Yet, the rookie has struggled to find his rhythm early on. Despite the rough start, head coach JJ Redick remains optimistic that Knecht’s breakout moment will come soon.

Knecht has suited up for all the Lakers’ games so far, though his production hasn’t quite met expectations. Through the first ten games, the rookie has averaged 6.1 points, shooting 38.6% from the field and 28.9% from beyond the arc. Redick, however, believes it’s only a matter of time.

To me, he’s gotten some really good looks both organically and when we’ve run sets for him,” Redick said, per Matt Peralta of Lakers Nation. “I am undeterred in my thinking that he is a tier one, top 1% shooter. I see it almost every day.”

Advertisement

Redick, who knows the ups and downs of shooting from his 15-year NBA career, also empathized with Knecht. “Sometimes you go through stuff and because I played 15 years, it’s always hard for me early in the season if I initially didn’t get off to a good start shooting 3s,” he continued. “It became more than it was, and I just started focusing on the long term and believing that the law of averages would work out, there would be regression to the mean, and I’d end up being a 40% 3-point shooter.”

Advertisement
Dalton Knecht #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball against Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the preseason NBA game at Footprint Center. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Dalton Knecht #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball against Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the preseason NBA game at Footprint Center. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

He added, “But it’s hard mentally, I think, and I’m not speaking for him, but I think for shooters, it’s hard when you get off to a slow start shooting the ball. It can kind of weigh on you. I’ve talked to him about it, and he believes that shot is going in every single time. And so do I.”

Advertisement
NBA News: Austin Reaves reveals challenge from JJ Redick before Lakers’ win against 76ers

see also

D’Angelo Russell weighs in on Knecht’s struggles

Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, a sharpshooter himself who posted career-high shooting numbers last season, also offered his encouragement to the young rookie, believing Knecht’s moment will come soon.

Every young player in the league wants it right away,” Russell said. “The Basketball Gods have a funny way of disguising those blessings. So for him, just know that your time is coming and just be ready. I think he’ll be ready when his time comes.”

Advertisement

Knecht’s numbers so far

So far this season, Knecht has played in all ten Lakers games, though he went scoreless in the loss to the Phoenix Suns, missing three field-goal attempts, including a three-pointer.

Knecht’s season-high came against the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers, where he put up 18 points despite making just 2 of 7 attempts from deep. Though his shooting struggles are evident, the Lakers’ faith in him and Redick’s encouragement could help him turn things around.

Advertisement

ALSO READ

NFL News: Andy Reid appears to rule out key Chiefs players vs Josh Allen's Bills
NFL

NFL News: Andy Reid appears to rule out key Chiefs players vs Josh Allen's Bills

NBA News: Sixers star Joel Embiid makes something clear to the Cavaliers after season debut
NBA

NBA News: Sixers star Joel Embiid makes something clear to the Cavaliers after season debut

NFL News: Jerry Jones might consider shocking head coach to replace Mike McCarthy with Cowboys
NFL

NFL News: Jerry Jones might consider shocking head coach to replace Mike McCarthy with Cowboys

NFL News: Chiefs star Travis Kelce sends surprising message to Jerry Jones about AT&T Stadium
NFL

NFL News: Chiefs star Travis Kelce sends surprising message to Jerry Jones about AT&T Stadium

Better Collective Logo