Lakers fall in preseason opener to the Timberwolves

Final April practically half-hour right into a dialog with defending NCAA champion coach Dan Hurley, then podcaster/broadcaster JJ Redick requested Hurley a couple of particular offensive motion the Huskies run.

By placing a nonshooting large man within the nook and throwing a cross-court skip go to him, the opposing heart is pressured out of the paint to protect opposing heart, creating passing, slicing and driving lanes.

“The place … did you steal that play from?” Redick requested Hurley on his podcast.

Friday, in his first recreation as the Lakers’ new head coach, Redick opened the sport by stealing the set from Hurley. And whereas the play created an open three for Rui Hachimura, it didn’t result in factors.

Whether or not it was a chunk of inspiration or a pleasant nod to offseason planning the place Redick turned the Lakers head coach solely after Hurley turned them down, is unknown. What is evident, although, is that by means of the primary week of Lakers basketball, Redick has labored laborious to strip himself of outcomes, as an alternative encouraging his group, and himself, to pour themselves into the method.

Fortunately for the Lakers, the outcomes don’t depend proper now.

Learn extra: D’Angelo Russell isn’t taking shots when talking about JJ Redick’s ‘high IQ’

Regardless of some good moments from a few younger gamers, the Lakers’ preseason opener and Redick’s tenure received off to a tough begin, Minnesota dominating in a 124-107 Timberwolves win Friday night time at Acrisure Area in Palm Desert.

With LeBron James and Anthony Davis getting the sport off and Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle sitting for Minnesota, there have been loads of alternatives for position gamers to face out.

For the Lakers, that meant rookie Dalton Knecht and third-year guard Max Christie displaying that they could possibly be part of Redick’s rotation.

Knecht made seven of 13 pictures and completed with 16 factors, tied with Austin Reaves for group excessive. Christie scored 11 and grabbed seven rebounds.

Rookie Bronny James, enjoying for the primary time in his NBA profession, scored his solely factors on a driving left-handed layup late within the fourth quarter with the Lakers down 20. The group erupted. He additionally had three blocked pictures.

James isn’t anticipated to be within the Lakers’ day by day plans this season, however who and the way Redick will use off his bench continues to be being calculated.

“I am going to simply be sincere, we’re preaching group and we’re preaching construction,” Redick mentioned pregame. “We’re clearly giving guys freedom inside that construction, however I received to have the ability to belief you that you realize what the hell is happening on each side of the ground.”

Learn extra: Lakers newsletter: Max Christie heads list of young Lakers to watch in the preseason

Early, it regarded like nobody did.

The Lakers trailed by as many as 20 factors within the first half with Minnesota’s starters solely enjoying one shift within the first quarter.

However led by Christie and Knecht, the Lakers labored their method again into the sport early within the fourth earlier than Minnesota pulled away.

The Lakers, who’ve vowed to shoot extra threes underneath Redick, shot 10 for 32 from deep.

The Lakers play once more Sunday, this time internet hosting Phoenix at Acrisure Area.

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This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Times.