Effort, particularly on the defensive end, has not been a guarantee for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. JJ Redick thought that problem could be helped by getting players more involved on offense. The Lakers head coach even had advice for Luka Doncic on how to get that going.
"There's got to be a trust factor with all [of] our guys," Redick said. "Trust the pass. That starts with Luka. He’s gonna have the ball the most of everyone. He’s got to trust the pass. ... As much as we can talk about being connected on defense, you got to be connected on offense."
Trust is easy to have when the guy on the other end of the pass warrants it. The Lakers roster is depleted of the players who would make it so much easier for Doncic to execute the vision that Redick has for him and the offense.
JJ Redick's advice ignores the reality of Luka Doncic's supporting cast
The second-year coach was fair in adding that most of the players around his franchise superstar are playing for their contracts and NBA futures. There is a human element to that. You can get in your head offensively when that is the case.
Even so, the supporting cast around Doncic is just not reliable. At the very least, they are not complimentary of how Luka wants to play offense.
Doncic needs shooters around him. The Lakers rank in the bottom-10 of the NBA, knocking down only 34.8 percent from beyond the arc.
Doncic needs players who are willing to move without the ball and make timely cuts. The Lakers are often too comfortable with simply watching Doncic handle the basketball.
A guy who averages 8.3 assists per game for his career is a willing passer and offensive engine. His 8.7 dimes dropped a night even exceed that number this season. It would be fair to call Doncic a top-five passer in the sport. The ability and willingness to play his part is not the problem.
Doncic is leading the NBA in usage percentage (38.1) and field goals attempted (22.6), yes, but there is always room for playmaking to be had off the immense offensive pressure created by the Lakers superstar as a scorer threat. Luka has never been shy about orchestrating beyond that.
Trusting the pass is not the worst message for Redick to preach. However, the Lakers coach needs to have those around Doncic execute in their roles, rewarding their superstar point guard's faith and efforts.