The preseason opener showcased exactly the type of team JJ Redick has been pushing for the Los Angeles Lakers to become. His fingerprints were all over the way they played. There is nothing like beating up on a horrid Sacramento Kings team to receive a much-needed confidence boost in what you are building.
During the Lakers' 127-103 romp of the Kings, both sides of the basketball court were humming. The offense looked so incredibly connected and flowing that one would be pardoned for forgetting just how many new faces were playing for Los Angeles. 29 assists helped Redick's group dial up their 3-point volume, too. 44 of their 82 field goal attempts came from beyond the arc.
Couple that offensive success with stout defensive pressure that resulted in 15 steals and the Lakers were clearly playing the brand of basketball Redick had been preaching about throughout training camp. After the game was over, JJ was caught with a big smile at the postgame press conference.
"Clearly, that [defensive] disruption that we talked about carried over [from camp]. ... I thought we did a good job throughout the game of just making the right play and passing the ball and not having it stick."
Redick kept gushing about the complimentary basketball the Lakers played. Strong defense helped get the Lakers offense going. The communication was there all night. The physicality was too. It was a strong early statement about the type of team Los Angeles could become by year's end.
Lakers are fully embracing the style JJ Redick wants to play
As a head coach, there are few feelings better than watching your players buy in on your ideologies. The Lakers gave that to Redick in spades during the preseason opener. From here, it is all about maintaining that level of commitment to the principles being installed.
It is easy to do it in the preseason. It is even easier when it comes against a team of the Kings' low standard. What about when the opposing matchup is a real juggernaut like the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs? That is when your resolve gets tested.
Before that time comes, there is still a moment to bask in how well the Lakers looked out of the gate. It should be even more encouraging to know they did that without three key rotation players.
Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton were all absent from the matchup. Those are three of your top six or seven guys in Los Angeles. Stonks.
The Lakers will not have to wait long to keep practicing what they are being taught. They will be back on the floor on Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors. Redick will undoubtedly be hoping for more of the same during the back-to-back.
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