LOS ANGELES — Upon his appointment as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, JJ Redick expressed a clear intent to establish Anthony Davis as the cornerstone of the team’s offense.
Two games into Redick’s coaching stint, his strategy is proving effective.
Davis scored an impressive 35 points during the Lakers’ 123-116 victory over the Phoenix Suns, becoming one of the few players in Lakers’ history to reach 35 points in each of the first two games of a season, alongside legends Jerry West and Elgin Baylor.
“We’re making the right plays and hitting crucial shots,” Davis commented after the game. With eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocked shots, he added, “The structure that JJ has implemented is benefiting me and the entire team. There’s so much space to operate, and we’re really enjoying ourselves out there.”
Last season, Davis achieved back-to-back 35-point games only once, but he shone with 36 points and 16 rebounds in Tuesday’s win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Friday’s game unfolded with more tension.
The Lakers found themselves trailing by 22 points in the second quarter, as the Suns made an impressive 21 of their first 30 attempts.
However, Los Angeles adjusted its defense, trimming the lead to 61-52 by halftime before staging a comeback in the second half, earning the team its first 2-0 start in 14 years.
Redick credited Davis’ poise during the game’s challenging moments as pivotal in the Lakers’ resurgence.
“There’s a level of comfort and confidence in him,” Redick explained. “He understands that when things get chaotic, he will be a focal point.”
Davis acknowledged the significance of Reddick’s composed approach during the tough stretch.
“When we were down by 22 points, that’s when coaching and trust come into play,” Davis stated. “JJ’s calmness in the huddle helped us focus on our mistakes regarding turnovers and transition. His non-panic demeanor makes it easier for us to keep our cool. We trust his vision and the strategies he’s introducing.”
Notably, Redick is the first Lakers coach since Phil Jackson, who took the reins in 1999, to win his first two games.
Davis’ elevated role has alleviated some pressure from LeBron James while also supporting the development of Austin Reaves.
Although James started the game shooting only 2 of 6 from the field, he exploded with 11 points in the third quarter, finishing with a total of 21 points.
“It’s essential that we execute and build trust,” James said. “Finding Anthony consistently throughout the game has been crucial, and we’ve managed to do that over the past two games.”
Reaves, who received a motivational text from Reddick at 6 a.m. hinting at a potentially great performance, scored 26 points, including five 3-pointers.
“JJ possesses a player’s perspective; he understands the flow of the game,” Reaves shared about the coach. “The entire coaching staff brings a high basketball IQ, and they view the game through a player’s lens.”
