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Redick Cites Physicality As Main Way Lakers Can Improve Defensely

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Redick gave his honest thoughts as to how the Lakers can improve defensively without having made significant roster changes. He also cited one specific player as someone who could help change their trajectory on that end of the floor.

“Obviously we need to increase our physicality,” Redick said at a recent press conference. “We need to be a better team in terms of contesting shots. We were in the bottom third of the league last year in that.

“I think what will be big for us in sort of the player development work that we’ve done defensively is we’ve talked a lot about having elite presentation and trying to create marginal indecision. That could be in a shift, that could be with low man help, that could be the big up to touch and drop.

JJ Redick likes size and versatility of starting lineup

Lakers head coach JJ Redick announced recently that the team would be returning to their most successful starting lineup of 2023-24. That is the group that went 23-10 in games they started together last season.

Former head coach Darvin Ham experimented with several other lineup pairings, but ultimately landed on this one in the second half of the year when the Lakers desperately needed to go on a run. That lineup had a plus-5.2 net rating after Jan. 1 and was efficient on both ends of the floor.

Redick obviously likes the record associated with that lineup from last year, but he spoke specifically about what he likes when James, Davis, Russell, Reaves and Hachimura are on the court together.

R.I.P.

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“Finger wag!” and to the great “Charlie Hustle!” I am a Pete supporter for the Hall of Fame as a player. MLB don’t put him now after he’s passed!! I know he and some messed up, but can we have no compassion?

JJ Redick impressing players early, plus 4 more training camp storylines

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers will open training camp Tuesday with largely the same roster for the first time since LeBron James and Anthony Davis joined forces in 2019.

Los Angeles is returning 13 of 15 players from last season’s team, including its starting lineup, for the fifth-most continuity in the league, according to ESPN analytics. Lakers brass is betting, to a large extent, that stability and the coaching switch from Darvin Ham to JJ Redick will unlock the group’s potential.

If Monday’s media day was any indication, Redick has left an impression on his players through their offseason conversations and interactions in voluntary summer workouts.

“JJ has done a really good job, I think, to start,” Max Christie said. “Definitely imposing himself as a coach. … I think he’s done a really good job kind of explaining what our offensive identity, defensive identity and so on is going to be.”

Redick’s communication, preparation and “structure” — the day’s buzzword — were popular talking points among the players. They’re optimistic that with more time together and subtle adjustments on both sides of the ball, this group can surprise the league and compete with the top of the West.

There were also some not-so-subtle shots at the previous regime.

“I just think the whole structure and foundation these coaches have brought in for us is a great start,” Austin Reaves said. “Because I feel like a lot of times last year we won games off talent. And when you have talent around structure, then you have the opportunity to do something really special.”

After inserting Rui Hachimura into the starting lineup on Feb. 3, the Lakers closed last season 22-10 — and 18-6 with their preferred starting unit. They posted the league’s third-best offense over that stretch and fifth-best record. It was the validation some internally felt they needed that the team had underperformed its potential and needed a new locker-room voice at the helm.

With another training camp under their belt, renewed optimism in their direction and a bunch of “basketball sickos” leading them, the Lakers are confident they’ll surprise those overlooking them.

“This is a team that we can win the whole thing,” Hachimura said. “We’ve been building it. As we can see, we have a lot of talented guys on the team.”

Here are four other storylines to monitor throughout training camp and the preseason.

1. LeBron appears refreshed
2. LA is already battling injuries
3. Russell apologizes in a show of maturity
4. A priority: 3-pointers