Lakers News: JJ Redick shows confidence over Dalton Knecht despite shooting issues

The Los Angeles Lakers introduced Dalton Knecht in the N.B.A Draft to bolster their offensive firepower with his shooting ability. Nevertheless, the rookie struggled to find his rhythm early on. Despite the difficult start, head coach JJ Redick remains optimistic that Knecht’s breakthrough will come soon.

Knecht has played in all of the Lakers’ games so far, although his performance didn’t quite meet expectations. The rookie averaged an average in the first ten games 6.1 points, 38.6% from the field and 28.9% from distance. However, Redick believes it’s only a matter of time.

“I think he looks really good both organically and in the performances.” Redick said, via Matt Peralta of Lakers Nation. “I am unwavering in my belief that he is a top 1 percent shooter. I see it almost every day.”

Redick, who knows the ups and downs of shooting from his 15-year NBA career, also felt for Knecht. “Sometimes you have to go through things, and because I played for 15 years, it’s always difficult for me at the beginning of the season when I didn’t have a good start shooting three-pointers at the beginning,“he continued. “It became more than it was and I just started focusing on the long term and believing that the law of averages would work, there would be a regression to the mean and I would end up with a 40 percent 3-pointer -shooter would be. ”

He added: “But mentally it’s difficult, I think, and I don’t speak for him, but I think for shooters it’s difficult when you start shooting the ball slowly. It can weigh on you in some way. I talked to him about it and he thinks a shot goes in every time. And me too.”

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D’Angelo Russell comments on Knecht’s problems

Lakers guard D’Angelo Russellhimself, a sniper who posted career-best shooting numbers last season, also encouraged the young freshman and believed Knecht’s next moment would come soon.

““Every young player in the league wants it immediately,” Russell said. “The basketball gods have a funny way of disguising these blessings. So for him, just know that your time is coming and just be ready. I think he’ll be ready when his time comes.”

Knecht’s previous numbers

However, so far this season, Knecht has played in all ten of the Lakers’ games he went scoreless in the loss to the Phoenix Suns, Three field goal attempts were missed, including a three-pointer.

Knecht reached his season high against the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers, where he prevailed 18 points despite fair production 2 out of 7 attempts from deep. Although his shooting issues are obvious, the Lakers’ confidence in him and Redick’s encouragement could help him turn things around.