Helping the Lakers become competitive in the championship is the most important job of Lakers coach Reddick (right) in the second half of the season. Reuters
The Lakers’ record in the first half of the season was 23-18 and fifth in the Western Conference, which is barely acceptable and slightly better than last season’s 20-21 record led by former Lakers coach Ham.
Record is an important indicator of the team’s success or failure, and it is also a demonstration of the coach’s coaching ability. If we measure the team in terms of “positive and negative assets,” the Lakers currently have three negative assets, including forward Vanderbilt, who has a four-year, $48 million contract. , three-year guard Vincent at $33 million, and four-year guard Christie at $48 million.
Turning negative assets into positive assets, becoming the team’s main rotation strength and actual record, and even helping the Lakers become competitive in the championship, this is the most important job of Lakers coach Ridick in the second half of the season.
In addition to these three key role players, the Lakers also have a number of minimum-salary players who are getting rid of their negative equity reputation. The bench leader Hayes has grown significantly in the first half of this year. The forward Reddish is reliable and hard-working defensively, but his offensive skills are too low. Unfortunately, substitute center forward Wood has been injured for more than a year, and his comeback is far away.
The best situation for a player with a minimum salary is to play a sacrificial role or a functional substitute. As long as he can withstand defense, stand firm in the rotation, provide stable output, and demonstrate the ability to unite the team’s strength, it basically cannot be regarded as a negative asset. .
Reddick has coached the Lakers for half a season, and the details are not bad. The players have grown significantly, and the team’s strength and rotation are integrating.
Starting guard Reeves has switched to the Lakers’ main ball control after the Lakers traded Russell, averaging 18.3 points and 6.1 assists per game, both career bests, and can also shoulder the starting control job. In the past two months, Reeves has averaged 20 points, 7.5 assists, and a three-point shooting percentage of 37%, all of which are the best performances of his career. As long as Reeves continues to grow and mature, the Lakers will have a third star who can change his physique. and competitiveness.
Reddick allowed Reeves to make mistakes and gave him the nutrients and training he needed to grow. This is an important demonstration of coaching ability.
After being scolded last season, he only played 11 games in the regular season due to injuries, and his three-point shooting percentage was an ugly 1.07%. He was ridiculed by fans as a “salary thief”. Lakers backup guard Vincent has climbed up step by step this year. Recently, In two months, his three-point shooting percentage increased to 34%. His defense is reliable and he is excellent in pursuit and around screens. He has gained Redick’s trust.
Trusting Vincent, giving him space and confidence to shoot, and even helping Vincent play completely without the ball. For Vincent, who has never played with so little possession of the ball in his career, that is the most difficult thing in his basketball career.
