The first impression is the best impression and in the case of Dalton Knecht, he certainly did exactly that for the Purple & Gold fans. But it seems the same can’t be said for his coach. Redick, while acknowledging his contributions and his brilliant NBA debut, had a few pointers for the Lakers‘ No. 17 pick. More importantly, JJ pointed out the one condition that will ensure his place in the franchise.
“If he’s gonna play in this team, play in the rotation, and play minutes this year, he knows this, he’s gotta compete defensively,” Coach Redick emphasized. Almost all of the scout reports on the Tennessee product point out the same flaw. Although Knecht consistently torched the best defenses in college, his defensive skills needed work.
That said, the 23-year-old had the tools to contribute on the defensive end. For one, Dalton measured a 6’9 wingspan at the Combine, meaning if utilized right, the SEC Player of the Year can very well turn out to be exceptional at blocking shots or guarding. Also, he seems to have a good grasp of defensive schemes and his positioning relative to offensive players.
Aside from these, JJ also had a few other aspects he wanted Dalton to pay attention to. “Sometimes the game can speed up for him a little bit, and that reflects itself in some turnovers,” the Lakers coach pointed out. In tonight’s loss to the Timberwolves, he did record the highest turnovers (5) than any other player.
Despite it all, Redick ensured he pointed out areas of his game that made him an instant fan favorite.
Redick attributed Dalton’s success to the work he has been putting in. “For the guys that have been in the gym consistently, which is a lot of our guys, there’s a different level of conditioning for them than they have right now. … Dalton is in mid-season game shape.”
The former Northern Colorado product scored 16 points, grabbed three rebounds, and dished two assists in 24 minutes of game time. Alongside Austin Reaves, Knecht led the team in the highest points scored. The young forward scored from all three levels, leaving the fans hungry for more and eager for the next round.
“I think his ability to just play consecutive possessions and compete was really good tonight. … But he knows who he is as a player and I thought he did a really good job of being aggressive and taking the shots we wanted him to take,” JJ further added.
Clearly, Redick appreciated the 6’6 forward’s physical conditioning and being game-ready. And now, all he wants from Dalton Knecht to do is work on his defensive skills. That would ensure a stable role in the Lakers rotation and perhaps, become a Laker for life.
