JJ Redick identifies consistent problem when Lakers don’t play well

LOS ANGELES – After a huge, come from behind win on the road against the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t build on that momentum, falling to the LA Clippers, 112-104. After getting off to a strong start to the season, the Lakers haven’t been able to string together consistent games. And head coach JJ Redick believes he knows the consistent reason for why things spiral when the team struggles.

Following the Lakers’ loss to the Clippers on Thursday, JJ Redick emphasized the need for the team to trust more in each other and consistently look to pass the ball. It wasn’t just against the Clippers, it’s been a constant theme.

“We just didn’t trust each other on the offensive end, not enough passing,” Redick said. “That’s a consistent thing when we don’t play well, we don’t pass to each other.”

The Lakers did end up with 24 assists in the game, compared to the Clippers 23. And they did have more consistent ball movement as they tried to engineer a comeback in the second half. But there was a lot of one-on-one play in the second quarter when the Clippers built a double-digit lead.

As someone who played 15 years in the NBA, Redick has experienced multiple locker rooms and can understand the reasons why players might resort to isolation basketball consistently.

“I think it just goes back to human element of everything,” Redick said. “Guys are worried about their futures and, that’s what happens when you get a team full of free agents and player options. I think it’s just natural that you worry about the offense. I’ve been there, it gets in your head a little bit. Five minutes and you haven’t got a shot yet. That’s a real thing, it’s not anybody’s fault.”

Redick was clear that he was talking in general and not about any specifics regarding this Lakers team, but one player who can help set the tone in terms of ball movement is Luka Doncic. As the team’s primary ball-handler, Doncic takes it upon himself to try and make sure the ball doesn’t stick.

It can be a challenging balance, a balance that Redick believes Doncic has done a good job overall of finding. For him, the blueprint of how the Lakers need to play from the jump was during the second half against the Clippers.

“We had 24 assists which is not bad, but it could have been better. I think the ball was moving well in the second half,” Doncic said after the game. “JJ said at halftime that the ball needs to move more.”

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