JJ Redick and a bit of his new teaching employees sat baseline Thursday in Las Vegas, the Lakers’ key younger items all flashing parts of why the group valued them.
The consequence — one other Summer season League victory and a few critic silencing — was momentary. Perhaps within the 93-89 win towards the Cleveland Cavaliers, there was one thing extra.
From the soar, Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ first rounder, splashed threes and attacked the rim with an athletic two-handed dunk. All of it strengthened that he can rating — one thing the group and Redick will most likely attempt to incorporate this season.
Knecht scored 20 and grabbed seven rebounds, trying like a chunk the Lakers might attempt to use ahead of later.
Bronny James, extra of a long-term developmental challenge, confirmed the midrange and rim-attacking abilities that may assist offset a three-point shot that’s nonetheless beneath development.
He completed with 13 factors on 50% capturing.
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Maxwell Lewis performed a extra complementary sport whereas nonetheless exhibiting the elite instruments that made the Lakers worth him a season in the past.
Second-year middle Colin Castleton fired fairly bounce passes to cutters, a ability that would assist separate him from different large males. French two-way rookie Armel Traore had his greatest sport of the summer time, utilizing his physicality and motor to make performs on the rim on each ends. And two-way rookie Blake Hinson confirmed that he’s prepared to try to stretch the ground along with his capturing whereas taking part in with loads of ardour.
Perhaps there’s one thing to be gained, a bonus to be mined, from what Redick and his employees had been watching Thursday. In a summer time the place the coaches and the younger gamers are all that’s new, the Lakers higher hope there’s.
Because the group’s younger gamers led a fourth-quarter comeback, their draft picks all made performs.
James scored on a sweeping left-handed hook and hit a stepback three off the dribble, possibly his greatest spotlight in Vegas. And Knecht’s slicing and foul-drawing led to simple fourth-quarter factors.
The Lakers end their Summer season League schedule Saturday towards Chicago.
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This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Instances.
