Los Angeles Lakers fans are witnessing a new era under the helm of their head coach, JJ Redick, renowned for his shooting prowess during his professional playing days. Redick's appointment as head coach marks a pivotal shift in the Lakers' strategy, with a clear focus on enhancing their offensive dynamics both at the perimeter and inside the paint.
The Lakers have shown early glimpses of these strategic changes. The team has already played two regular-season games, showing a notable increase in offensive movement and three-point shooting attempts. This shift is evident from Redick’s ambition to increase the team's three-point attempts by five or six more per game. As it stands, the Lakers are averaging 28.5 three-point attempts, a number that Redick hopes will rise to 40 or even 50 per game. Reflecting on the progress, Redick stated optimistically, "If you look at it, for us and our group to take 40 3s in a game, that's promising. It's promising. We can get it up to 50, hopefully, but 40 is good."
Despite the recent preseason setback—a loss to the Golden State Warriors on October 15—the Lakers have already made significant strides in the regular season. Defensive energies aside, the Lakers have also been a force in the paint, outscoring the Minnesota Timberwolves by an impressive 32 points in that area. This domination inside reflects the Lakers’ commitment to maintaining a versatile offensive game, one that balances long-range shooting with strong inside presence.
Redick's influence is also visible through enhanced player movement and passing, areas where the Lakers had previously faced criticism. Last season, the team's lack of offensive fluidity was a concern, which has been addressed by upping their passes from an average of 267.5 per game to a staggering 334 in their season opener. The result: the Lakers are now scoring an average of 37 points off cuts per game, an improvement that speaks volumes of the newfound strategic clarity Redick has brought to the squad.
The Lakers' prowess in sharing the ball was highlighted in a match against Phoenix, where they assisted on 33 of their 40 field goals. Such statistics underscore the team's commitment to unselfish play and Redick's vision of a more fluid, interconnected offensive approach. Off the ball movement and sharing the rock is clearly at the forefront of the Lakers' ethos this season.
Alongside chalkboard strategies, the team has shown remarkable discipline in drawing fouls and earning trips to the line. Over two games, the Lakers have made 64 trips to the foul line, an indication of their aggression and tactical execution in exploiting defense gaps.
As they navigate the season, the Lakers are poised to be a team not just relying on traditional big-market attributes, but embracing a holistic, modern style of play. Under Redick’s guidance, the Lakers are keen to establish a balance between perimeter shooting and a strong inside game, all while emphasizing increased ball movement and player activity.
Laker fans have been given a lot to watch and cheer for in this new chapter. As JJ Redick continues to sculpt his vision on the court, this Lakers team could soon mirror their coach’s legendary sharpshooting capabilities, combined with the dynamism of youthful legs. Only time will tell how far this reinvented version of the Lakers can go, but for now, optimism—fueled by tactical evolution—is certainly on the rise at the Staples Center.