Projected by many to miss the playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers have set the pace for one of the best seasons of the LeBron James era. First-year head coach JJ Redick has Los Angeles off to a 9-4 start to the 2024-25 regular season, with wins over every caliber of opponent.
Two of the central figures during that time have been franchise player Anthony Davis and breakout rookie Dalton Knecht.
Davis has paced the Lakers through their nine wins, with an elite combination of offensive value and defensive omnipotence. Knecht has struggled at times, but at his best, he's been one of the most important players for the purple and gold.
In a recent post-game interview, Davis offered the perfect criticism of Knecht to collect the highs and lows.
Anthony Davis on Dalton Knecht:
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) November 17, 2024
"Every time he shoots the ball, we think it's gonna go in. That's why we get so frustrated and upset when he doesn't shoot. He's a great player."
If the only criticism your teammates have of you is that you aren't shooting enough, then the tools to become the "great player" they believe you can be are at your disposal.
Anthony Davis asks Dalton Knecht to shoot more; "He's a great player"
Through 13 games, Knecht is averaging 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.8 three-point field goals made in 20.2 minutes per contest. His numbers translate to 16.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 offensive board, 2.2 assists, and 3.1 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
The most impressive element of Knecht's success is exactly what Davis said: When he shoots, it's expected to go in. Look no further than his slash line of .484/.404/1.000 for supporting evidence.
For as strong as that production is from a rookie, the Lakers are hoping to see Knecht shed the trepidation that was present during the first few weeks of the season. He was drafted and incorporated into the rotation because of how dynamic he is as a scorer, and even the franchise player would like to see him shoot with more confidence.
Thankfully, that trend has begun to swing in the Lakers' favor during the best three-game stretch of Knecht's career thus far.
Knecht exceeded 30 minutes played for the first time this season during the Lakers' recent 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He scored a then season-high 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field and a 5-of-5 mark from beyond the arc while also contributing three assists, two rebounds, and a steal.
The next time out, Knecht tallied 14 points and three rebounds in 26 minutes as the Lakers defeated the San Antonio Spurs 120-115.
It was the first time this season that Knecht scored at least 10 points in consecutive games. Never one to rest on his laurels, Knecht used that as a launching pad for the performance that has Lakers fans losing their minds over the realization of his upside.
With 27 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a 104-99 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Knecht justified Davis giving him the label of a great player.
All it took was taking the advice of shooting more freely.