The Los Angeles Lakers, under new head coach JJ Redick, are navigating the early days of their NBA season with a commitment to modernizing their offense. Known for his sharpshooting during his own playing days, Redick has set ambitious goals for the team, seeking to both increase their perimeter shooting and bolster their interior play.
Sharpening the Perimeter Game
Redick's vision for the Lakers involves a marked increase in three-point attempts. "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," he shared. This goal reflects a broader trend in the league, with teams placing a premium on three-point shooting.
The Lakers have started the season averaging 28.5 three-point attempts per game. While this number falls short of Redick’s aspirations, it sets a new baseline from which the team can grow. The coach's objective is clear: expand their range to leverage the high-scoring potential of the three-pointer, a strategy that helped the Lakers to 40 attempts in at least one early-season game.
Balancing Interior and Perimeter Play
While emphasis is being put on the perimeter, the Lakers are not neglecting their inside game. In a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers dominated the paint, outscoring their opponents by 32 points. This dual threat — expanding beyond the arc and asserting authority in the paint — could become a cornerstone of the team’s strategy as they make their way through the season.
Revamping Offensive Movement
Last season, the Lakers were often critiqued for stagnant offensive play. Redick has taken this feedback to heart, spearheading a transformation in how the team approaches ball movement and player positioning. In their season opener, they recorded 334 passes, a significant increase from last year’s average of 267.5 passes per game. The increase in ball movement aims to create more dynamic opportunities and keep opposing defenses on their heels.
The benefits of this new offensive approach are already visible. The Lakers have scored an impressive 37 points off cuts in just two games, averaging 18.5 points per game from such plays. Their game against Phoenix further demonstrated this evolution, where they assisted on 33 of their 40 field goals, underscoring the team's growing synergy and Redick’s influence on facilitating off-ball movement.
Capitalizing on Aggression
Alongside their tactical adjustments, the Lakers have shown a willingness to attack aggressively, drawing a substantial 64 foul line trips in just two games. This indicates a focus not only on external shooting but also driving to the basket to capitalize on free throw opportunities.
The Lakers’ commitment to enhancing their offensive arsenal is unfolding as the season progresses. Though they faced a setback with their preseason loss to the Golden State Warriors on October 15, their subsequent efforts have shown promise and potential for further growth. Under Redick’s guidance, the team is working to refine a balanced offense that thrives both around the arc and near the basket.
The season is young, and while Redick's Lakers have a journey ahead to meet their head coach's lofty objectives, the early markers of progress are there. As they embrace higher three-point volumes and elevated ball movement, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if these strategies translate into wins on the board and, eventually, a deep postseason run.