{"id":107284,"date":"2024-11-16T11:31:43","date_gmt":"2024-11-16T16:31:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=107284"},"modified":"2024-11-16T11:31:43","modified_gmt":"2024-11-16T16:31:43","slug":"lakers-bench-quincy-olivari","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/16\/lakers-bench-quincy-olivari\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Bench Boost Could Come From Two-Way Rookie"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lakers have thrived since making significant rotation changes, moving <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/russeda01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the bench to act as the burner on a struggling stovetop. While Russell was thought to be the primary scorer and playmaker off the bench, he hasn\u2019t been alone in the team\u2019s recent contests. Rookie <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/knechda01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dalton Knecht<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> scored a career-high 19 points while shooting 5\/5 from deep Wednesday. When that performance earned him his second starting nod, it was <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/chrisma02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Max Christie<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s turn, as he dropped 11 points (4\/7 FG) last night in his best game of the season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But now, a two-way rookie is beginning to prove himself with LA\u2019s G League affiliate, with many wondering if he\u2019s next in line to make an impact in JJ Redick\u2019s rotation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Lakers Bench Boost Could Come From Two-Way Rookie<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Remember No. 41?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Undrafted rookie <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/o\/olivaqu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quincy Olivari<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/12\/lakers-no-41-quincy-olivari-earning-respect-legitimate-nba-player\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">turned heads in preseason<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with his surprising play, which culminated in an efficient <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/LADEig\/status\/1847722732043325684\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22-point performance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (8\/16 FG, 5\/9 3PT) against the Warriors in the tune-up finale. That performance, among others, was enough for the Lakers, who <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.silverscreenandroll.com\/2024\/10\/19\/24274410\/lakers-quincy-olivari-colin-castleton-two-way-contract-g-league-south-bay-preseason\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">signed him to a two-way contract the day after<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I appreciated this answer from JJ Redick when asked about Quincy Olivari being converted to a two-way contract, making sure to mention the contributions of Colin Castleton, whose spot was opened up for Olivari. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hzHnU3fyR7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/hzHnU3fyR7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Dave McMenamin (@mcten) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mcten\/status\/1848099777889870046?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 20, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The team assigned Olivari to their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, prior to the start of the NBA regular season. He showed out in his debut with the team, notching 28 points on 8\/19 shooting from the field and 7\/15 from three\u2014all with Redick, Russell, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LeBron James<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/davisan02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anthony Davis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in attendance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Russell even had <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/LoJoMedia\/status\/1856108506828681677\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high praise for Olivari<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after his first game with South Bay.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI just told him to stay humble. Honestly, it looked like he was too good for being out there, respectfully. But I know how that can get you high and then you have a bad game and get you low. It is what it is. I just told him to stay even keel.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Olivari followed his sensational debut with a career-high in his second game. <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/gleague.nba.com\/game\/sbl-vs-scw-2052400047?view=box-score\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facing the Santa Cruz Warriors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the road last night, Olivari torched them for 33 points (7\/21 FG, 5\/13 3PT), six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Though the Warriors beat the Lakers 128-118, many pointed to that game as a reason why Olivari should be called up. The 23-year-old&#8217;s hot start has brought him to an <a  href=\"https:\/\/gleague.nba.com\/player\/1642439\/quincy-olivari\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">average<\/a> of 30.5 points on 37% shooting from the field, 43% from three and 84% from the free-throw line.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Quincy Olivari tonight for SouthBay:<\/p>\n<p>33 pts | 6 reb | 5 asts | 2 stls<\/p>\n<p>41 Ready for The Call Up, Whenever.<a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/c37JEKxb2m\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/c37JEKxb2m<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LakersLegacyPod\/status\/1857660202402885974?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 16, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">And move Quincy Olivari into Lakers rotation-that dude is NBA ready !<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 zengreenyoda (@zengreenyoda) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/zengreenyoda\/status\/1857708890323820675?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 16, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><b>How Olivari Could Help the Lakers<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s early in the G League season, but Olivari is already proving his worth as a scintillating scorer. Going from undrafted to sparking a preseason comeback against a contender is no easy feat. Neither is averaging 30 points\u00a0in your first two G League games. Olivari has quickly risen to become an NBA-caliber player, showing off his shooting, aggressiveness, and defensive intensity required to succeed in the league.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And aside from the skills, Olivari has already proven to be a consummate teammate, shining a spotlight on others instead of himself and fitting right into the culture set by Redick on day one.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I asked Quincy Olivari about his performance. Instead, he gave Bronny his flowers: \u201cI was just happy to see Bronny get out there and show the world that he can play. I\u2019m a big advocate on pushing that he\u2019s a great player and the criticism he gets is unfair.\u201d <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Lakeshow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Lakeshow<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GyApaJq8aq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/GyApaJq8aq<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LoJoMedia\/status\/1855459151536881931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Olivari\u2019s game has already translated well to the NBA, and his recent showings further prove he can help the Lakers and their bench. The team\u2019s second unit has improved with the inclusion of Russell, who has boosted them to 34.3 PPG on 50% shooting from the field and 44% from deep in the last three games. Substantial contributions from Knecht and Christie have aided that success, but the Lakers could always use more weapons in the rotation, especially considering the pile-up of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/13\/lakers-center-depth-growing-thin-with-new-injury\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">injuries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the frontcourt. That\u2019s where Olivari could show off what he calls <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ESPNNBA\/status\/1848833174769455460\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cQdini magic\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to Lakers Nation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If given the chance, Olivari can elevate the Lakers with his energy and effort on both ends of the floor. It may require a shuffle of the Lakers\u2019 backcourt\u2014-notable given the ascension of Knecht and struggles of <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/v\/vincega01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gabe Vincent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014but Redick has shown he\u2019s willing to make those changes before. Adding Olivari to the Lakers\u2019 equation would only reap benefits for a team that\u2019s currently on a roll.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Lakers have thrived since making significant rotation changes, moving D\u2019Angelo Russell to the bench to act as the burner on a struggling stovetop. While Russell was thought to be the primary scorer and playmaker off the bench, he hasn\u2019t been alone in the team\u2019s recent contests. Rookie Dalton Knecht scored a career-high 19 points [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4265,"featured_media":107291,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,26,62],"tags":[240,49212,4921,2279,38,4916,49377],"class_list":["post-107284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-lakers","category-nba","tag-anthony-davis","tag-dalton-knecht","tag-gabe-vincent","tag-jj-redick","tag-lebron-james","tag-max-christie","tag-quincy-olivari"],"modified_by":"Jordan Pagkalinawan","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/107284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4265"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=107284"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/107284\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/107291"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=107284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=107284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=107284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}