ATLANTA — JJ Redick was already preaching a type of Japanese philosophy, telling his team about the concept of “kaizen” to improve every day. Off the field, the head coach found inspiration in another Japanese phrase.
Lakers players and coaches have used PechaKucha presentations to facilitate team bonding this season. The slideshows, which come from the Japanese word for chat, could be the secret to the team’s strong start as the Lakers (7-2) have won five straight ahead of a five-game series that begins Saturday in Atlanta at 5 p.m. PST against the Hawks.
The Lakers have rebuilt one of the NBA’s most efficient offenses despite injuries that keep LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic in and out of the lineup, relying on a strong team bond that has developed quickly through an even quicker form of communication.
PechaKucha presentations traditionally consist of 20 slides, each with a photo. The speaker has 20 seconds to explain each slide for a total presentation time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
The Lakers’ version consists of five slides: where you’re from; favorite basketball memory; person, event or thing that has had an impact on your life; your happy place without basketball; and choice of dealer.
“A lot of times, most of the interactions you’ll have with your teammates will take place on the basketball court,” forward Jake LaRavia said. “So it’s good to learn things about them outside of basketball, like their hobbies and stuff like that, where they’re from. And it just helps you understand who the person is a little bit better.”
Assistant coach Scott Brooks began his presentation with a photo of a walnut, symbolizing the walnut farm he worked at on weekends to help his family make ends meet. LaRavia showed a photo of his driveway as the origin of his basketball journey. Doncic opened up about how his daughter Gabriela changed his life.
A coach and a player are present, then they each name the next coach or player to leave. While about half of the players and coaches have left, Redick said he’s already noticed holdouts actively planning their presentations before their appointments.
“We’re constantly encouraging and empowering our guys to connect,” Redick said. “I believe if you’re connected on the field, you’re connected on the field. You’ve got to buy into it. I’m not trying to take credit for my team here. These are the guys on the team, they’re buying into it.”
Doncic, for his part, is not sold. He deadpanned that he didn’t think the exercise was helpful.
The simple fact that Doncic made the joke meant it worked.
Settling in after last season’s tough trade, the 26-year-old’s personality began to emerge among his teammates. He is a sarcastic prankster who expresses his love for his teammates by sending them passes through pinhole-sized holes in the defense and then trash-talking them right after.
Lakers coach JJ Redick, with injured forward LeBron James at his side, questions a call with guard Marcus Smart during Wednesday’s game against the Spurs.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Doncic’s smiling antics, whether he tries to sit on Austin Reaves’ lap on the sidelines or on half-court shots in a contest with Reaves, Maxi Kleber and members of the staff, show how connected the superstar feels to the team.
“Honestly, I feel like I really enjoy playing with these guys,” Doncic said. “A.R. [Reaves] I can’t play. We still miss LeBron. This team therefore has great potential. But everyone who steps on the field gives their all, man, everyone. So it’s very pleasant to play.
Reaves is on the road trip but will miss a third straight game Saturday. The Lakers ruled him out after Friday’s practice as his right groin injury progressed to a strain after being classified simply as a soreness.
James did not make the trip to Atlanta. He progressed to on-court basketball activities this week after missing four weeks with right-sided sciatica. He played one-on-one with the coaches, Redick said. A stint with the South Bay Lakers is on the table, but no decision has been made.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer has yet to play a single minute for the Lakers. Reaves, averaging 31.1 points and 9.3 assists, missed the last two wins and Doncic played only half the games. But the Lakers are still fifth in the NBA in offensive rating.
“It shows how professional we are,” guard Marcus Smart said of the team’s chemistry despite an ever-changing personnel. “I think a lot of people, especially people who aren’t part of the brotherhood, forget that you build a relationship with guys, and then one guy or a few guys, you get traded and you have to rebuild another guy. You don’t understand how hard it is, how expensive it is.”
As Smart spoke, Doncic appeared behind the group of reporters, clapping loudly. Then, Doncic made sure to declare that he would beat Smart in a team-building competition that night. They both smiled as they walked away.
