The Lakers have started JJ Redick’s first coaching season with a 12-10 record.
Comparing Past and Present Performance:
Last year, the team had a slightly better start at this point with a 13-9 record. They also performed better in defense and scoring, averaging more points and rebounds while shooting more accurately. Under Redick, the team’s defensive stats have dropped significantly, allowing opponents to score more easily.
Defensive Struggles:
Redick’s Lakers are contesting fewer shots than last year’s team, which explains their current status as the league’s worst defensive team. Despite high expectations for Redick as a coach, these numbers suggest that the team’s performance has declined compared to when Darvin Ham was in charge.
Fans sometimes wonder if changes really make things better or just different.
As any basketball fan knows, teams often show their true colors between games 20 and 40. Early season success can be misleading; thus, analysts were cautious about getting too excited over the Lakers’ initial winning streak.
Team Dynamics and Accountability:
Previously, some players voiced their dissatisfaction with Ham’s coaching style. Now that he’s gone, they are taking responsibility for their own shortcomings. After a tough loss to the Heat by 134-93, LeBron James admitted it’s up to the players to improve.
Anthony Davis also shared his thoughts: “I have confidence in our group and coaches,” he said. “It starts with me playing better so others can follow.”
Anthony Davis: โWe got to stay together as a team, as a unit and make sure that this doesnโt turn into something that we donโt wantโ
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten)
Looking Ahead:
LeBron emphasized individual accountability: “When you mess up individually and rely on others to cover for you, itโs not right,” he said.
LeBron James: โWhen youโre individually fโing up and youโre trying to rely on everybody else to cover for you, I think it starts with individuals first. All of us have to take accountabilityโ
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten)
The Lakers will face off against the Hawks on Friday in an away gameโa chance to turn things around!
