The Los Angeles Lakers have started their 2024 NBA season with a 3-0 record, marking the first time they’ve been undefeated in their opening games since the 2010-2011 season, which followed their back-to-back championships with Kobe Bryant. This early success raises the question: How have they managed to pull this off?

While the core of their team remains the same, with only minor roster changes such as the addition of Dalton Connect, the key difference is their new head coach, JJ Redick. Redick has introduced significant changes to their game plan, both offensively and defensively, leading to a transformation in their overall performance. His approach has re-energized the team, particularly in areas like defensive coverage and rebounding, which have improved noticeably.

Through the first three games, the Lakers have shown impressive offensive capabilities. They currently have the fifth-best offensive rating in the league, and they rank sixth in points per game, averaging 121.3 points. Their efficiency has also been notable, as they rank sixth in field goal percentage at 49.6% and are among the top five teams in both free throws made and free throw percentage, a significant improvement for a team that has struggled in this area in recent seasons.

Playmaking has been a strong suit as well. The Lakers are fourth in the league in assists per game, averaging 29 assists on 43.3 made field goals. This level of ball movement shows that the team is playing cohesively, with most of their shots being created through teamwork rather than isolation play. Additionally, they’ve managed to control their turnovers, ranking eighth in the fewest turnovers per game while excelling in transition with 20.3 fast break points per game.

Defensively, there is room for improvement, especially in transition defense, where they’ve allowed opponents to score 19.7 fast break points per game, the third-worst in the league. However, their half-court defense has been solid. They are among the top teams in limiting opponent field goal attempts, and they’ve shown great discipline in keeping opponents from grabbing offensive rebounds, allowing just 7.3 per game. This is a big improvement from last season, where they gave up an average of 10.9 offensive rebounds per game.

Redick’s influence can also be seen in the team’s offensive creativity. He has implemented various plays that effectively use the strengths of star players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis without drawing too much defensive attention to them. By incorporating decoy movements and off-ball actions, Redick has been able to free up space for key players to make plays, as seen in their recent games.

One standout example of Redick’s play design occurred during their game against Phoenix. The play involved a series of decoy screens that left the lane wide open for Jackson Hayes to score easily, demonstrating Redick’s tactical awareness in creating opportunities for his players. Similar plays have been run throughout the season, showcasing his ability to think several steps ahead of the defense.

In addition to Redick’s tactical genius, Anthony Davis has stepped up as a key offensive hub, leading the team in scoring with 34 points per game and posting a 29.9% usage rate, the highest of his Lakers career. Davis has also been a facilitator, averaging 3.3 assists per game, and the Lakers have relied on him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.

LeBron James has also been a crucial factor, especially during the fourth quarter of their recent game against Sacramento, where he led the team on a 21-0 run. Redick has shown great trust in LeBron, allowing him to control the offense when needed, creating a perfect balance between structured play and player freedom.

While it’s still early in the season, the Lakers have been highly impressive, with Redick’s coaching being a major reason for their success. His ability to mix offensive creativity with strong defensive principles has turned the Lakers into a well-rounded, dynamic team. There’s plenty of time for improvement, but if they continue to grow under Redick’s leadership, the Lakers could be a force to be reckoned with this season.

What do you think? How has JJ Redick’s coaching impacted the Lakers so far? Let me know your thoughts!