Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ ugly 22-point preseason loss to the Phoenix Suns, head coach JJ Redick made a stunning and frank admission, explaining that his team was soundly beaten for one simple reason: they are already behind schedule.
“This is not an excuse, this is quite literally reality: They’ve had 19 guys in the gym all of September,” Redick said of the Suns. “They’ve had seven practices. They’re ahead of us from that perspective…”
However, the Lakers helmsman sees a glimmer of hope: “We just haven’t had enough time. We will get there. I’m very confident.” Redick’s candid comments came after his team was dismantled 103-81 by Phoenix on Friday night.
Phoenix looked better on the court
The loss was amplified by the fact that the Lakers were missing four key rotation players: superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic, along with defensive guards Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent.
The Suns, a team expected by many to regress this season, looked far more cohesive. Redick noted their defensive schemes were already “really, really tight.”
Phoenix guard Devin Booker capitalized on the Lakers’ disorganization, leading all scorers with 24 points and seven assists.
The Lakers have a difficult preseason ahead of them
The Lakers will look to bounce back tonight in a 5:30 p.m. PT road game against the Golden State Warriors, but they will once again be shorthanded, as both James and Doncic are scheduled to sit out.
They will face a revamped Warriors squad that added veterans Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Seth Curry to its future Hall of Fame core of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, promising another tough test for Redick’s still-gelling team.
Read the full article here
