The question led Lakers coach JJ Redick to say he “wasn’t combative” with his answer.
When asked if the Lakers were missing opportunities to practice more and develop on-court chemistry due to their loaded six-game preseason slate, Redick was quick to question why reporters were so concerned about the situation.
“You really emphasize that,” Redick replied.
So, Redick was asked: Is this a thing or is it not a thing?
“I’m not combative right now,” Redick said. “I just want to acknowledge that you guys, over the last four days, have found that it’s getting a little obsessive with all these questions about lost opportunities. So, I’m going to answer them again. Those are the cards we’ve been dealt. I wish everyone was healthy.”
Taking advantage of the situation, the Lakers held off the Golden State Warriors 126-116 on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena despite the absence of LeBron James (sciatica), Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart (Achilles tendinopathy).
Redick said the plan is for Smart to “get two games [in] this week.”
The Lakers have three preseason games remaining: Tuesday at Phoenix, Wednesday in Las Vegas against the Dallas Mavericks and Friday against the visiting Sacramento Kings – four games in a six-day span.
Redick was reminded that the Lakers, as an organization, opted to play six preseason games — the maximum allowed by the NBA.
“It’s something that will need to be discussed, I think, in the future,” Redick said. “I think it’s great. Really because we got to play in Palm Springs and I think it’s great to be able to play in Vegas and I recognize that there are Lakers fans all over the world that maybe don’t get a chance to see us play.
“You hope we can find some sort of balance in the future to have more practice time and less travel time. I’m sure at some point we’ll be one of the teams that goes overseas, so that adds another scenario.”
Lakers guard Bronny James, forward, and Golden State forward Trayce Jackson-Davis battle for a rebound in the first half Sunday of the Lakers’ 126-116 preseason victory at Crypto.com Arena.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
Redick said that for training camp purposes, practice tends to be more helpful to team building than preseason games.
“I think more practices would be beneficial,” Redick said. “I think the exposure to a game situation and playing against an opponent is very beneficial. You don’t have many days left and try to cram six games into it. [and] four games in six nights is really difficult.
Against the Warriors on Sunday, Austin Reaves (21 points), Dalton Knecht (16), Rui Hachimura (16) and Deandre Ayton (14 points, eight rebounds, five assists) dominated their game.
For Ayton, who scored six of eight from the field and had a blocked shot, his joy came from the fans cheering him on. Sure, it was just a preseason game, but Ayton loved the atmosphere and the positive energy he felt.
It was Ayton’s first time playing at Crypto.com Arena since signing a two-year, $16.6 million contract with the Lakers.
“It hit me in the whole arena today just hearing the fans and everyone cheering,” Ayton said. “It was a pretty unusual sound, other than the boos. … It was everyone showing me love and welcoming me to Los Angeles. I played so freely and had a lot of fun.”
