Lakers’ Head Coach Emphasizes the Importance of Team Unity Following Tough Preseason Defeat

The Los Angeles Lakers found themselves falling short in a 111-97 preseason loss to the Golden State Warriors. The defeat, particularly marked by a third-quarter slump, left head coach JJ Redick analyzing where things went wrong and emphasizing the need for trust in their offensive schemes. For the Lakers, who are still acclimating to Redick’s system, the loss highlighted a critical issue—relying on individual efforts rather than team-based play.

Third-Quarter Breakdown: Lack of Trust Causes Offensive Stagnation

In his postgame analysis, Redick was quick to pinpoint where the game unraveled for the Lakers. “I was highly encouraged with the shots we got,” he said, referring to the Lakers’ initial approach. However, things changed drastically after halftime. The coach noted, “It was when we didn’t trust our offense and got a little stagnant ball stuck. That was the beginning of that third quarter.”

Anthony Davis had some success with isolation plays during that period, but the team as a whole struggled to keep the ball moving, leading to a mere 19 points in the third quarter. Redick emphasized how the offense lost its rhythm, stating, “We didn’t play good offense that quarter… It’s a growth opportunity, a learning lesson for our group.”

This theme of “trusting the offense” became the central focus of Redick’s postgame comments. He expressed disappointment that the players drifted away from the game plan, choosing to play isolation ball rather than trusting their well-practiced offensive schemes.

Redick’s Perspective as a Player and Coach

Redick’s comments come from a place of personal experience, having been both a player and now a coach in the league. “You stop trusting it and you start, ‘I gotta get myself going,'” he said, reflecting on how players can sometimes revert to individualism in moments of frustration. “It’s not how we wanna play, and that’s okay. It happens. We’ll get better.”

Throughout the preseason, Redick has stressed the importance of team cohesion, unselfish play, and sticking to the offensive game plan. This philosophy is at the core of what he aims to instill in the Lakers, especially as they prepare for the challenges of the regular season.

Offensive Struggles on Display

The numbers tell the story of the Lakers’ offensive difficulties during the loss. They shot just 35-95 from the field and an unimpressive 11-40 from three-point range. These struggles were most evident after halftime, with the Lakers shooting only 7-25 from the field in the third quarter alone. Redick saw this as a direct consequence of the team’s departure from their game plan.

Key players like Anthony Davis, who led the team with 24 points and 12 rebounds, still showed flashes of brilliance. However, even Davis’s performance couldn’t mask the overall lack of fluidity in the offense. LeBron James, who had just 6 points and 4 assists, had a quiet night, reflecting the broader issues facing the team.

Looking Ahead: Building Trust and Discipline

Despite the loss, Redick remains optimistic. When asked about the development of forward Rui Hachimura, he had nothing but praise. “Rui’s been great… Everything we’ve asked him to do, he’s done so he’s been awesome,” Redick said. This sense of optimism extends to the entire team as they head toward the regular season.

Looking ahead, Redick stressed the importance of building trust in both their offensive and defensive schemes. “You just have to trust it,” he reiterated, noting that defensive lapses also contributed to the loss, particularly in transition. The Lakers allowed the Warriors to score 52 points in the paint, another area where trust in their system will need to improve.

Redick’s emphasis on discipline, trust, and execution is setting the tone for the Lakers under his leadership. As the regular season approaches, he will continue working to ensure that the team plays with a cohesive, team-first mentality—something that will be key if the Lakers are to contend at the highest level this season.