In the wake of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ heartbreaking overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks, head coach JJ Redick took the opportunity to commend his team’s defensive effort while lauding the brilliance of Hawks star Trae Young. Speaking at the post-game press conference, Redick highlighted both the positives in his team’s defensive performance and the challenges posed by Young’s unique skill set.
“It was discussed with the group. Yeah, we weren’t, it was just a normal red scenario like you would do a million times in game.”
“I thought Gabe defensively was really good. I thought a lot of our guys really competed on that end. Trae’s tough. He’s not the size of some of the bigger players like Luka or LeBron or Joker but he knows how to manipulate a defense.”
“He’s a really good player. I think he was a 9 for 25. I think the thought process was staying out of coverage and out of drop where he’s just throwing the ball over the place and getting 18 assists. It’s not the right option. And then he’s 20.”
“So didn’t do a great job of our reds in general. Thought when we did it, it was solid and we kept people in front of us. But, yeah, just too much. We talk all the time, too.”
“It’s like if we’re going to, you know, we always have, the whole season I’ve had switching groups, and if you still need a low man, and I don’t think we were great with our low man tonight. Had a couple good low man, but didn’t have good low man.”
Redick began by acknowledging the defensive strides his team made, particularly pointing out Gabe Vincent’s efforts. The Lakers displayed notable intensity on defense throughout the game. They forced 17 turnovers, racked up 11 steals, and blocked 10 shots.
These numbers reflect a focused effort to disrupt Atlanta’s rhythm and create opportunities in transition. However, the Lakers struggled to contain the Hawks’ three-point shooting, allowing them to convert 42.5% of their attempts from beyond the arc, including Trae Young’s game-winning triple.
Redick also took time to rave about Young’s ability to manipulate defenses. Despite Young’s relatively inefficient shooting night, going 9-for-25 from the field, he still managed to register 31 points and 20 assists, showcasing his ability to control the game in other ways.
Redick elaborated on the Lakers’ defensive approach against Young, which aimed to minimize his playmaking while keeping him from exploiting drop coverage. The game came down to a pivotal moment in overtime when the Lakers missed a crucial defensive switch, leaving Young wide open for the dagger three-pointer.
Overall, Redick expressed pride in his team’s effort but acknowledged there is room for improvement. The Lakers held the Hawks to 50% shooting from the field and competed admirably in several key defensive areas, yet their inability to close out on perimeter shooters and maintain consistency in their rotations ultimately cost them.
Despite the loss, Redick’s comments suggest optimism about the Lakers’ defensive potential. The focus now shifts to building on these efforts and addressing the key areas of improvement as the Lakers prepare for their next matchup.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
