{"id":107312,"date":"2024-11-16T21:06:09","date_gmt":"2024-11-17T02:06:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=107312"},"modified":"2024-11-16T21:08:45","modified_gmt":"2024-11-17T02:08:45","slug":"lakers-backcourt-puzzle-different-piece","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/16\/lakers-backcourt-puzzle-different-piece\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers\u2019 Backcourt Puzzle Needs A Different Piece"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Lakers are 8-4, fifth in the Western Conference standings. For a team with a first year head coach in JJ Redick and soon-to-be 40-year-old cornerstone in LeBron James<\/a>, that\u2019s not bad at all. However, good isn\u2019t good enough for the Lakers, who have sincere hopes of winning another championship<\/a> before James retires.<\/p>\n

So, like any team and especially a title-contender, Los Angeles is focused on working out its kinks. So far, this has led to them making just one major change thus far. After a putrid start that led to Redick giving him a public undressing<\/a>, the Lakers relegated D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/a> to the bench, starting Cam Reddish<\/a> in his place.<\/p>\n

Lakers\u2019 Backcourt Puzzle Needs A Different Piece<\/h2>\n

The Lakers need someone who can be counted upon defensively, particularly at the point-of-attack. Russell has done so from time to time but not consistently enough. He also has a tendency to fall asleep off-ball. Austin Reaves<\/a> is focused but allows too much perimeter penetration, especially when guarding faster players.<\/p>\n

This led to Los Angeles starting Reddish, but this could become more of a problem than solution.<\/p>\n

The Cam Reddish Question<\/h3>\n

While Reddish is a high-level perimeter defender with great physical traits, he\u2019s enigmatic offensively.<\/p>\n

When he was with the Atlanta Hawks, former head coach Lloyd Pierce wanted to use him at both guard and wing spots due to his versatility. However, he saw Reddish as a lead guard in the future due to his intuitive passing ability, and his developmental track reflected that. After Pierce was fired for failing to manage egos in the locker room, the plan changed.<\/p>\n

Reddish was used to having the ball in his hands even before his rookie season. Yet, under Nate McMillan, those opportunities became increasingly infrequent. It wasn\u2019t until he was traded to the New York Knick in Jan. 2022 that he started making more plays off the dribble.<\/p>\n