Lakers fall to the Timberwolves in preseason opener
Last April, nearly 30 minutes into a conversation with the coach of the defending NCAA champion Connecticut men’s basketball team, JJ Redick, then a former player turned podcaster/broadcaster, asked Dan Hurley about a specific offensive action the Huskies run.
By putting a nonshooting big man in the corner and throwing a cross-court skip pass to him, the opposing center is forced out of the paint to guard him, creating passing, cutting and driving lanes.
“Where … did you steal that play from?” Redick asked Hurley on his podcast.
Friday, in his first game as the Lakers’ new coach, Redick opened the preseason against Minnesota by stealing the set from Hurley. And while the play created an open three for Rui Hachimura, it didn’t lead to points.
Whether it was a piece of inspiration or a nice nod to how the offseason unfolded — Redick became the Lakers coach only after Hurley turned them down — is unknown. What is clear, though, is that through the first week of Lakers basketball, Redick has worked hard to turn the focus from results, instead encouraging his players, and himself, to pour themselves into the process.
Luckily for the Lakers, the results don’t count right now.
D’Angelo Russell says he’s excited about new Lakers coach JJ Redick’s ability to challenge players on the mental aspects of the game.
Despite some good moments from a couple of young players, Redick’s tenure got off to a rough start, Minnesota dominating in a 124-107 win at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis getting the game off and Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle sitting for Minnesota, there were plenty of opportunities for role players.
For the Lakers, that meant rookie Dalton Knecht and third-year guard Max Christie showing that they could be a part of Redick’s rotation. Knecht made seven of 13 shots and finished with 16 points, tied with Austin Reaves for the team high. Christie scored 11 and grabbed seven rebounds.
Rookie Bronny James scored his only points on a driving, left-handed layup late in the fourth quarter with the Lakers down 20. The crowd erupted. He also had three blocked shots.
James isn’t expected to be in the Lakers’ daily plans this season, but when and how Redick will use off his bench still is being calculated.
“I’ll just be honest, we’re preaching organization and we’re preaching structure,” Redick said before the game. “We’re obviously giving guys freedom within that structure, but I got to be able to trust you that you know what the hell is going on on both sides of the floor.”
With Lakers training camp underway, there are a few younger players who are going to be worth watching this preseason.
Early, it looked like no one did. The Lakers trailed by as many as 20 points in the first half with Minnesota’s starters playing only one shift in the first quarter.
But led by Christie and Knecht, the Lakers worked their way back into the game early in the fourth before Minnesota pulled away.
The Lakers, who have vowed to shoot more threes under Redick, shot 10 for 32 from deep.
The Lakers play again Sunday, hosting Phoenix at Acrisure Arena.
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