LA Notes: Davis, LeBron, Koloko, George, Dunn

On By Littum

One of JJ Redicks most significant changes since taking over as head coach for Lakers have made Anthony Davis the “hub” of the offense, write Dave McMenamin and Matt Williams of ESPN. Davis is seeing more touches than ever, which has resulted in a dramatic increase in his production. He is averaging 30 points and 10 rebounds through nine games while shooting 55% from the field and is Wild Chamberlain as the only Laker to reach those marks.

“He’s done a great job of setting me up to be successful,” Davis said of Redick. “My teammates have done a good job of getting me the ball where I’m most comfortable. Obviously they encourage me to try to get it, but I’m still trying to play the right way all the time.”

Davis’ increased commitment has taken opportunities away from LeBron Jamesadd the authors. Redick is stationing James off the ball more often, and his 24.8% completion rate would be the lowest of his career. He screens more often and gets the ball off screens as Redick tries to maintain James’ energy as he approaches his 40th birthday.

“We’re not going to rely on LeBron James iso fourth quarter ball,” Redick said. “This is not how our identity should be. So I think it starts with what was presented to the team on the first day: Here is our identity offensively; here our identity is defensive; and then your system should help emphasize these things. And that is where we have been particularly conscious.”

There’s more from Los Angeles:

  • Christian Koloko will become it Lakers‘ backup center while Jackson Hayes is sidelined with an ankle injury, tweets Jovan Buha from The Athletic. Koloko has appeared in just two games since being medically cleared to return to the NBA, but he will have a bigger role until Hayes is re-evaluated in a week or two. “Disappointed. Feel for Jaxson, especially after the last two games he had for us.” Redick said.
  • On his Podcast P show, Paul George clarified comments he made regarding Cutting machines fans during a recent visit to Los Angeles (Twitter video link). “I didn’t call the Clippers the ‘B team'” he stated. “I said it felt like the B team because everywhere you go in LA, people say, ‘You should be a Laker.’ It wasn’t to minimize. … I was a Clipper. That’s who I chose to play for. I didn’t compare them or say they were below the Lakers. It’s just how LA interprets it or how LA treats players that are in LA.”
  • The Cutting machines made a change to their starting lineup tonight in Houston and substituted Terrance Mann with Kris Dunnaccording to Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link). Coach Tyronn Lue said after the game that he plans to continue using the new lineup (Twitter link).