Late-game success has been key for the Lakers this season, thanks in large part to the contributions of Cam Reddish.
To be fair, the Los Angeles Lakers are off to a slightly underwhelming start to the 2023-24 NBA regular season.
Injury reports to LeBron James, Anthony Davis and multiple rotation players pose legitimate obstacles to finding a rhythm. Efforts are sometimes not up to par. The Lakers beat a team with a winning record (Orlando Magic). They have a negative net rating (-2.0) and rank 20th in three-point field goal percentage.
Fortunately, LeBron and AD have performed well and the Lakers have chosen weaker competition. All things considered, their 7-6 record could be considered a pleasant surprise in itself (another positive: they dominated the season tournament group stage).
Late game execution is critical. The Lakers had the most “clutch moment” minutes of any NBA team — leading by five points with less than five minutes left in the game. Despite inconsistent shooting, lineups and half-court ball movement, they posted a 5-2 record in key games.
Anthony Davis and LeBron James are the main reasons for this. James is the league’s most dangerous offensive player in the late game, shooting close to 70% at critical moments. (Overall, LeBron Lakers perimeter shooting boat floats – This is a surprising trend, although not sustainable. ) AD Indeed,”everything” Defensively, allowing his teammates to surround the passer.
However, outside of the stars, no Lakers player has had a bigger impact than Cam Reddish.
Cam Reddish is still hot🔥
(pass @lakers)pic.twitter.com/uyZjKdhcJn
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) November 13, 2023
Based on preseason performance, few expected Reddish to pass Max Christie on the depth chart when the season began. But Christie is 20 years old; his time will come. For now, Hamm wants to give the older, well-traveled Reddish a chance to earn trust and build confidence. It’s paying dividends.
“It’s going to be defense, three defenses,” Ham said of Reddish’s role after a tough win over the Los Angeles Clippers. “The only thing I need is consistency. Just a plan where they embrace him, encourage him to get better, simplify things and he’ll respond the right way like he did tonight. “Since he’s been a Laker He has been great since joining the team. “
A few days later, LeBron passed the ball to Reddish for a potential buzzer-beater. The ball didn’t go in, but the message got into Reddish’s soul.
“Get ready again because there’s going to be more opportunities, especially from me,” LeBron said of what he told Reddish. “I knew I was going to see two defenders late in the game, so be prepared.”
LeBron James: “For all the naysayers and basketball pundits who know nothing about basketball and told me I should be shooting in Miami instead of passing to Cam Reddish, I did the same thing tonight because I Believe in my teammates. ” pic.twitter.com/deMP8KMI7O
– Oh no he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) November 11, 2023
Since then, Reddish replaced Austin Reaves in the starting lineup and was nominated for the Western Conference Player of the Week. In the past five games, he has averaged 13.8 points in 30.6 minutes and shot .533/.522/.818 from the field. He attacks both ends of the floor with new confidence, energy and aggression. His instincts (and size) as a cutter and ballhawk (2.8 steals per game) change the momentum.Reddish runs around checking star wings and wreaking havoc in the backfield like he’s a terrifying 6-foot-8 version of Pablo Prigioni Or Jose Alvalade0.
Cam Reddish had 7 deflections and 3 steals (1 block) last night against the Trail Blazers and now:
Tied for second in total deflection
Tied for fourth in total steals
Being flanked at 100% %ile stealing%Yes, these are loud, but I think it speaks to Cam’s level of engagement so far pic.twitter.com/3JUyO0Ne6s
— Alex Regla (@AlexmRegla) November 18, 2023
“I feel like all my teammates did a great job pouring themselves into me and telling me how much they believed in me,” said Reddish, the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. “I don’t think I’ve experienced anything like this in my entire NBA career.”
What’s more, Reddish has become a staple of the ending and has been updated with 3-D content. The Lakers record is 3-1 in critical moments when Reddish participates. He has the team’s best clutch net rating (4.8).
Cam Reddish is averaging five deflections per game since entering the starting lineup. It was third in the league during that period. His length, screen navigation and overall POA defense are devastating. pic.twitter.com/wPAudjdwvu
— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) November 15, 2023
After being linked with Reddish for years, the Lakers signed the 23-year-old to a minimum contract, believing he (and Christie Ann Wood) could follow in the footsteps of Malik Monk and Dennis Schroder as players rebuilding their reputations with the Lakers. So far, LeBron, Ham, Davis, and especially Reddish deserve their flowers for his feel-good success story.
“It started out OK in Atlanta, but then he went to New York, he went to Portland, and when I was in Milwaukee, he blew us away again,” Ham recalled, referring to Reddish’s return to action in 2021. A key defensive performance in the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals. “He had a huge impact … hitting four 3-pointers and saving the life of one of our best players at the time, Khris Middleton. He was always with me and before that at Duke. Watching him, I just thought, he’s still a very young player with huge upside. “Just thought we could provide some stability and opportunities that he needs. “
Reddish has 22 steals this season. Nothing is more valuable than his presence on the Lakers.