In basketball, just like in relationships, communication is key. For the Lakers, hearing what head coach JJ Redick wants to have happen during close games has been an issue.
The Lakers have already been in multiple games that have come down to the wire and will likely be in that scenario again. In fact, they were in that position in their most recent contest against the Jazz in Utah.
So, Redick has begun using more hand signals so that his team knows exactly what he wants them to do. He explained this after the Lakers beat the Jazz on Thursday night.
“I don’t know if you guys watch baseball but the third base [coach] giving all the hand signals, that’s something we’ve been working on so that we don’t run into the situation we ran into in Philly where I’m trying to call a play, Phoenix, I’m trying to call a play, guys don’t know what we’re doing,” Redick said. “So, we’re using hand signals now like a third base coach in baseball. I thought our ability to pick that up and execute, get the ball to the right guys, Luka being live on some stuff where he was off ball and then making plays when he got the ball was awesome.”
The game of basketball happens so fast, and on the road with a loud crowd, it can be very easy for information to go unheard.
So, having some quick hand signals to illustrate what you want done is beneficial. For example, a player will put up their index and pinky finger to signify they are running horns action.
Luka Dončić did this during crunch time against the Jazz. He not only put up the horn signal, but he also touched his chin to indicate it was a horns chin action. Luka did this multiple times on the floor to make sure everyone knew what was happening.
If Luka is doing these things even more bluntly late in games, it makes sense that Redick is also signaling more and more down the stretch. Redick mentioned miscommunication as an issue against the Sixers and elaborated on that even more during his postgame media availability in Utah.
“Philly, for sure, I don’t think they heard me,” Redick said. “Phoenix, I think they were tired. We talked about having the non-verbals and being able to echo it on the court so everybody knows what we’re doing.”
Despite the audible challenges the Lakers have been having, they beat the Sixers and the Suns. So, winning these games and fixing this problem before it causes LA a result is the right move.
The Lakers are undefeated in close games this season, and if they keep those lines of communication clear, they’ll give themselves the best chance of continuing that success the rest of the way.
Redick is doing his part to make sure what he wants done is understood, and the Lakers should now have an easier time following his directions.