JJ Redick Details What Was Missing in Lakers’ Team Chemistry Last Season
The Los Angeles Lakers lacked something last season despite finishing third in the Western Conference. The Lakers were sent packing in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves
Speaking to reporters, including The Orange Country Register’s Khobe Price, after Saturday’s practice, Redick opened up about the lack of small interactions last season. The second-year coach has established to his current roster that it’s important to have small talks between plays, which he described as “championship communication.”
“To me, the best teams, the best groups, the best organizations in any field, small interactions are so important. And how many small interactions can you have in a game? You should have thousands. ‘Good screen. Good job. Good pass. I got you next time.’ That’s what we’re starting to see from our group. We weren’t great with that last year. That’s part of our championship communication. That stuff is happening in real time, and we’re really happy with the progress (we’ve) made. Still got a ways to go, but it’s happening,”
The Lakers’ chemistry was affected by the Luka Doncic trade in February. With a full offseason to prepare, Redick is confident about what his team can do this season.
Luka Doncic’s Message To His Lakers’ Teammates
The Los Angeles Lakers are going to be without LeBron James in the early parts of the regular season due to sciatica. James has been ruled out for at least three to four weeks as he recovers from the nerve pain injury that has affected him since late July or early August, as per
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Luka Doncic had a clear message to his teammates amid the absence of their legendary player. It’s all about stepping up for the team and the next man up mentality.
“It’s a big change. He’s a great player. He can help us a lot, but at the end of the day, our mentality needs to be next man up. We got a group of guys (who) have been practicing, and hopefully, LeBron can join us as soon as possible. We are going to obviously need him. But our mentality has got to be next man up. That’s it,”
Lakers’ Projected Starting Lineup
Due to LeBron James’ injury, coach JJ Redick remains undecided on his starting lineup. Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton and Austin Reaves are the obvious starters, as per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
However, Jarred Vanderbilt has started in the first two preseason games. Vanderbilt has dealt with injuries in the past two seasons, but he entered training camp fully healthy. Even
Redick has four more preseason games to mix and match his starting lineups and rotations. They are scheduled to begin the regular season on October 21 at the Crypto.com Arena against the
Warriors’ GM Makes Surprising Admission About Steve Kerr’s Future
The Golden State Warriors are focused on the upcoming season, but there’s a growing uncertainty around coach Steve Kerr. The four-time champion coach has an expiring contract and wasn’t in a rush to sign an extension despite the interest from the franchise.
In an appearance on the “Steiny & Guru” show on 95.7 The Game, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. opened up about Kerr’s future. Dunleavy admitted that there’s uncertainty surrounding the coach, but it’s all about trusting him and letting him get through the season without any distractions.
“Yeah, I mean, I guess technically there is (uncertainty). This isn’t really a regular situation with a head coach where he’s in the last year of his deal. We know what it is with Steve. He’s been here a long time. He’s been an amazing part of this franchise, and as far as I’m concerned, can stay as long as he wants. We’re going to give him the grace of the season to go through it, or at least some of it, to see and feel where he’s at mentally and physically,”
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Tristi Rodriguez made a compelling argument on why Kerr should at least sign a one-year extension. Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler
Why Didn’t Steve Kerr Sign A New Deal?
Speaking to Tim Kawakami on “The TK Show” last week, Steve Kerr was asked about his contract situation. Kerr explained why he didn’t sign a new contract with the Golden State Warriors despite the franchise’s interest in keeping him.
“I don’t really feel like that’s the right call to make, because I just want to see where this all is. And maybe we’re at the All-Star break, and it’s like, ‘Hey, this is going to keep going. Let’s do it,’ you know, but for right now, let’s just kind of see where this all goes. And like I said, I’m perfectly comfortable with whatever happens, but I love what I do, and I would imagine I’ll keep doing this,”
While some Warriors fans fear Kerr’s potential exit, it was probably good to hear from him that he’s likely to sign an extension rather than walk away. He’s been in charge of Golden State since 2014, winning four NBA championships along the way.
Steve Kerr Has Plans For Jonathan Kuminga
With Jonathan Kuminga back on the Warriors, coach Steve Kerr has plans for the 23-year-old forward. The two don’t see eye-to-eye most of the time, with Kuminga and his agent expressing their disappointment with Kerr publicly.
Kerr told Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard that Kuminga needs space to operate. He could not give it to him last season after the Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler.
But now that Al Horford is on the team, Kerr expects Kuminga to thrive in a lineup with Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Horford and Quinten Post, who is also a sharpshooting big man.
