The Los Angeles Lakers have been taking their fans on quite the roller coaster ride this season, and after 17 games, they find themselves once again stuck with the same 10-7 record they had at the same point last year. With all the offseason changes and plenty of optimism surrounding the team under recently hired head coach JJ Redick, many had hoped for a fresh start and consistent results. Yet, as always with the Lakers, familiarity breeds both comfort and concern.
Last season, the Lakers kicked off with some impressive victories, even snagging the inaugural NBA Cup. But the euphoria soon faded, making way for frustrating losses. They were plagued by inconsistency, highlighted by back-to-back four-game losing streaks, and slipped below the .500 mark at one point. Statistically, they couldn’t find their rhythm, ranking 15th in offensive rating, 17th for defense, and 19th for net rating. This inconsistency wasn’t just numbers on paper; it was the glaring issue for fans who were hoping for something spectacular.
Now, as the current season progresses, the narrative seemed ripe for change. The Lakers popped up with three straight victories, but like old habits dying hard, they stumbled during a recent five-game road trip, managing only one win and showing signs of their past struggles. Upon returning home, they initially regained their footing with six consecutive victories. Still, after back-to-back losses to the Orlando Magic and the Denver Nuggets, fans are left to wonder whether the ghosts of previous seasons are haunting this squad again.
A key takeaway this season is the stark difference between the Lakers' offensive prowess compared to their defensive shortcomings. While they currently boast the fourth-best offensive rating this season, courtesy of contributions from stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the same cannot be said for their defense. Positioned 26th for defensive rating, the Lakers are among the league's porous defenses, allowing significant scoring opportunities to opponents. They rank 28th for points surrendered in the paint, 29th for fast-break points allowed, and 22nd on second-chance points.
Adding fuel to the defensive woes is the injuries hurting key players like Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood, and Jaxson Hayes. The absence of these players has put even more strain on the Lakers' ability to protect the rim and control the boards—a situation the coaching staff is eagerly trying to remedy.
The back-to-back losses were telling. Against the Magic, it was questionable free throw shooting by Anthony Davis late in the game—failing to convert on three clutch opportunities—that sealed their fate. Moving on to their loss against the Nuggets, fans could only watch as the Lakers crumbled under the brilliance of Nikola Jokic, exposing the vulnerabilities in their defense.
Despite these setbacks, it's not all doom-and-gloom. There have been visible flashes of brilliance. The offensive system instilled by JJ Redick has propelled the Lakers to exhilarating offensive outings, and depth appears to keep them competitive. Plus, with the potential return of Vanderbilt and other key players, there’s hope for defensive improvement.
Fans have been intuitive enough to recognize, though, as the Lakers mirror their previous seasons' start at 10-7, the potential is still there for much more. If they can solidify their defensive play and maintain their attacking rhythm, there’s every reason to believe they could finish the season higher than their seventh seed last year.
Now, let’s talk about the recent emergence of rookie Dalton Knecht, who’s been the talk of the town. The 17th overall pick of the recent NBA Draft has quickly become a fan favorite, electrifying the crowd with his performances. His latest outing against the Utah Jazz showcased his sensational play, scoring 37 points—including tying the NBA record for the most three-pointers made by a rookie with nine to his name. Knecht displayed his prowess not just as shoot-and-make player but someone the team could rely on when it matters.
He’s adapted seamlessly to starting for the Lakers, filling the void left by teammate Rui Hachimura, who’s missed games due to injury. Coach JJ Redick expressed confidence and hope to have both Hachimura and center Jaxson Hayes back soon from their ankle injuries, which could adjust the team’s dynamics and bolster their offensive and defensive strategies even more.
During the thrilling encounter with the Jazz, Knecht displayed his shooting touch, opening the game with successful three-point attempts. But it was his stellar second-half performance where he truly made his mark. Scoring 21 points during the third quarter alone, he turned the tables for his team, showing poised execution and ice-cool demeanor reminiscent of legends on the hardcourt.
Although he’s receiving well-deserved support from experienced players like LeBron James and Davis, Knecht seems more than ready to shoulder some of the scoring load and thrive under pressure. The few moments he had late during the game when he iced free throws earned him MVP chants from the excited crowd at Crypto.com Arena.
For fans, seeing Knecht shine is not just refreshing; it’s also instilling renewed hope. Many now speculate how much higher the Lakers could finish this season if he continues to be such dynamic presence during crunch time.
Looking at the road onward, if the Lakers can strike the right balance between offense and defense, offsetting injury setbacks, they may find themselves surprising critics and climbing the Western Conference ladder significantly higher than they were last season.
It’s never easy being the Lakers or playing for the emblem of purple and gold, but every single game holds the promise of something special. With stars aligning and new talents like Knecht pushing their limits, maybe this season will finally end on a high note for the storied franchise.
