Los Angeles Lakers sniper Luke Kennard needs to shoot the ball more often. He hears this criticism all the time from fans, but once he heard it from the Lakers' coaching staff, he knew it was time to really start launching. And Green Light Kennard has been a revelation for LA through the first two games of the first round.
Kennard has averaged 7.3 shot attempts per game throughout his career, and 6.3 FGA per game in a Lakers uniform. But he's taken 13 shots in each of the first two games of this series, and Kennard's watched many of those shots fall through the net. Entering Game 3, Kennard is 17-of-26 from the field and a torrid 8-of-11 from 3. He's averaging 25 points per game in the series. He's on fire.
Lakers' Luke Kennard hears everyone telling him to shoot more
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Kennard admitted that he's being told to shoot more, and no one can really blame whoever is giving Kennard these instructions (more than likely Lakers head coach JJ Redick).
“I've gotten that (request) a lot," Kennard said. "I understand it. … I'm definitely looking a little bit more, I think I need to with guys out.”
The Lakes have been adamant with Kennard that they're more interested in him raising his shot volume, even if it means a dip in his shooting percentage.
"Shooting six or seven 3s a game at 38% for the series is better than you shooting three a game at 45%," Redick told the media earlier in the week about his messaging to Kennard.
Luke Kennard's new assignment has unleashed a higher confidence, too
Kennard shot 47.8% from 3 during the regular season, the best mark in the NBA. It would be understandable from a psychological perspective if Kennard got attached to that number in forming his identity as a role-playing marksman who picks his spots carefully.
But as Kennard himself alluded to, the absence of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves has changed everyone's role a bit on the Lakers as they look to vanquish the Houston Rockets. LeBron James is a first-option alpha again. Everyone needs to hit the glass harder than usual. And Kennard needs to shoot more. Way more.
Lakers fans couldn't help but notice an uptick in swagger for Kennard, particularly coming off his 27-point masterclass in Game 1. In the second game of the series, Kennard was playing with a looseness and freedom that made him seem untouchable.
One play captured this entire vibe, when Kennard caught a pass in semi-transition, drove right on Reed Sheppard, spun around entirely, and then stepped back for a ridiculously confident 3-point attempt that the entire arena knew was going in. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not only Green Light Luke Kennard. This is Playoff Luke Kennard.
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