How JJ Redick has changed the Lakers — with the same roster

How JJ Redick has changed the Lakers — with the same roster https://t.co/Z2FSbKjm3F

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) November 19, 2024

Here are three ways the 2024-25 Lakers have changed under JJ Redick — and one way they remain troublingly the same.

1. AD as the ‘hub’

While it was Ham who bestowed the “Wilt Davis” nickname on Anthony Davis two seasons ago, referencing legendary big man Wilt Chamberlain, it is Redick who so far has unlocked the real-life comparison.

Through the season’s first nine games, Davis became just the second Laker in history to average 30 points, 55% shooting and 10 rebounds. The first? Chamberlain, in 1969-70.

Davis has averaged his most touches per game and dribbles per touch since player tracking data began in 2013-14. And once he gets the ball, he is executing, averaging 1.19 points per direct touch — his best in a season in the player tracking era.

2. LeBron’s reduced role

As Davis’ touches have increased, James’ have decreased. The 22-year vet is spending more time off the ball than he ever had. James’ 24.8% usage rate so far this season would be the lowest of his career.

Part of the strategy is to free James from expending energy initiating the Lakers’ offense; he has brought the ball up the floor 24.1 possessions per game, which would be his fewest in a season since 2015-16.

Redick has instead tasked James with using his 6-foot-9, 250-pound frame in ways other than pounding the rock. This season, James is averaging 7.4 off-ball screens per 100 possessions as the screener, significantly up from 4.4 last season and nearly double his 3.9 mark in 2022-23. And it’s working to spring his teammates for scoring opportunities. Lakers cutters are averaging 1.28 points per direct play when James is the off-ball screener, ranking 14th in the league among players to set 50 or more off-ball screens as the screener this season.

He’s also coming off screens more this season, cutting 10.2 times per 100 possessions using an off-ball screen, up from 8.2 last season and his most since 2015-16, when he was with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

On defense, the same energy-saving strategy has been implemented, starting with switching instead of fighting through screens on pick and rolls. He has switched 47% of the time he has been the screen defender against on-ball screens, the 13th-highest rate among players to defend 50 picks or more so far.

“We’re not going to rely on LeBron James iso fourth-quarter ball,” Redick said. “Like, that’s not who our identity is going to be. So, I think it starts with the thing that was presented to the team on the first day: Here’s our identity offensively; here’s our identity defensively; and then your system should help emphasize those things. And so that’s where we’ve been particularly deliberate.”

3. A new, innovative offense

After ranking 15th last season, the Lakers are No. 5 in offensive efficiency so far in 2024-25, scoring 117.0 points per 100 possessions.

The most striking difference is the way they are sharing the ball, ranking ninth in passes per game this season, up from 23rd last season. Their average touch length has dropped from the 19th shortest to the ninth shortest, while the average dribbles per touch have dropped from 14th fewest to fifth fewest. The ball is moving more and faster, player to player and side to side, forcing the opposing defense out of position.

And they are also using far more off-ball screens per game (47.8, which ranks 14th) compared with last season (27.3, which was last) to keep the offense in motion instead of constantly looking for mismatches in the pick-and-roll.

“Their execution stands out to me,” said Suns coach Mike Budenholzer, whose team played L.A. twice in the preseason and twice already in the regular season. “The force in which they’re cutting and screening and playing. Davis is bringing a lot on both ends of the court. So I think that’s a reflection of JJ as a coach, and I’m sure his staff. The players are obviously taking whatever they’re working on in practice and applying it.”

And there’s still major room for improvement beyond the arc, something former 3-point specialist Redick emphasized in the preseason and insists will come.

Last season, the Lakers ranked eighth in 3-point accuracy (37.7%), 24th in 3-pointers made per game (11.8) and 28th in 3s attempted (31.4).

The only one of those categories that has improved through 10 games is attempts (32.8), but Redick wants more.

“The thing as a coach is you can envision a certain thing and you can have a goal for things. It doesn’t mean you’re going to get there,” Redick said last week. “I think it’s important to always emphasize the things you want. That hopefully becomes part of your identity.