Ahead of a crucial matchup against the Golden State Warriors, JJ Redick is going to great lengths to ensure his team is in the right state of mind. In an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN's Dave McMenamin revealed Redick's message to the team and how they will approach the remainder of the regular season.
"It was a rare practice day for the Lakers on Wednesday, in preparation for this Warriors game. It was the first time the Lakers had had home practice since late February," said McMenamin. "JJ wanted to look at their defense and see how they would approach different offensive sets from opponents, but also very specific late-game situation prep."
With just seven games left to play this season, it can be easy for players to check out as they anticipate the upcoming playoff battles. For Redick, the important thing for his team is coming into each game with the right mentality.
"JJ wants his team to adopt a playoff mentality with seven games left in the regular season, and that's not just on game night," said McMenamin. "He understands they need to have a high level of competitive nature when it comes to the ball being tipped, but he wants the days in between to have the same type of playoff mental focus and preparation because he recognizes that if they accomplish their goal, they need to be in this zone for the next two months straight."
It's only Redick's first season on the job as Lakers head coach, but he's got the team in a pretty good spot right now. Despite various injuries and a mid-season blockbuster trade, the Lakers are third in the West at 46-29. After a handful of games together, LeBron James and Luka Doncic have developed their chemistry and continue to learn more about each other every single day.
Nobody knows how the standings will ultimately shake out this season, but we do know that the margin for error is incredibly slim. As it currently stands, only 2.5 games separate the Lakers and the 8-seeded Grizzlies in the standings, which means they cannot afford to fall behind in the final weeks of the season.
To ensure their success and a top-six seed in the West, the Lakers will have to be locked in and free of any distractions. They must bring the intensity every night, both on the court and in the gym, as the playoff grind approaches.
Tonight, the Lakers will face arguably their biggest test of the month so far: Stephen Curry and the red-hot Warriors. Golden State has moved up to fifth in the standings after an incredible stretch, and they could end up being one of L.A.'s biggest obstacles in the Western bracket this year.
Only with nearly flawless play on both ends of the floor will the Lakers stand a chance, but it helps they they have two superstars (LeBron James and Luka Doncic) to bail them out whenever needed. If they play their cards right, the Lakers could go deep into the playoffs this year and kick off the Luka Doncic era in glorious fashion.
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