JJ Redick's comments about Dalton Knecht in early April look like a lie after Lakers' strange decision in loss to Timberwolves
In early April, after a win against the New Orleans Pelicans in which Dalton Knecht scored 12 points in 20 minutes, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick suggested to reporters that Knecht was going to be an important player for the Lakers in the playoffs. So far, that hasn't been the case. Not even […]
In early April, after a win against the New Orleans Pelicans in which Dalton Knecht scored 12 points in 20 minutes, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick suggested to reporters that Knecht was going to be an important player for the Lakers in the playoffs.
So far, that hasn't been the case. Not even close.
The Lakers are down 3-1 to Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs after a 116-113 loss in game four on Sunday.
And Knecht has been a total non-factor for the Lakers, playing just four minutes in the series so far, despite Redick's comments earlier this month.
"We haven't given up on Dalton," said Redick on April 4. "We feel like he's a guy who can help us win a game in the playoffs, maybe multiple games, because of his shooting and his ability to score. I thought it was a great way for him to start tonight with an offensive rebound on the crash, just showing how locked in he was to the game. And I think the basketball gods reward that."
Knecht didn't see any minutes in the game four loss to the Timberwolves. Instead, Redick became the first coach in nearly 30 years to play only five players in the second half of a playoff game.
The Lakers entered the fourth quarter with a 10 point lead on Sunday, but they were outscored 32-19 by a Timberwolves team that seemingly had more energy.
Redick's bizarre decision to forget about his bench resulted in his team being completely gassed in crunch time.
LeBron James, one of the greatest athletes to ever walk the planet, is 40 years old. He's in excellent shape, but he's still 40 years old. He shouldn't be playing an entire half without a break or two. James scored 0 points in the fourth quarter against Minnesota in game four.
If Redick puts Knecht in the game for a stretch in the second half, the former Tennessee Vols star probably would've hit a couple of threes (at the least), and the Lakers, as a team, would've been fresh for the final stretch of the game. I don't think it's hyperbolic to suggest that not playing Knecht (and other bench players) likely cost the Lakers the game against Timberwolves — and maybe the series.
Redick said a few weeks ago that Knecht was going to help the Lakers win a game in the playoffs. The stage was set on Sunday, but Redick showed his inexperience as a first-year coach and blew a huge opportunity.
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