Imagine a high-stakes puzzle where every piece of practice time could unlock championship potential, but instead, your team is juggling a whirlwind of games that leaves little room for bonding. That's the fascinating dilemma facing the Los Angeles Lakers right now, and it's got fans and analysts buzzing. But here's where it gets controversial—could this packed schedule actually be a hidden blessing in disguise?
When questioned about whether the Lakers were squandering chances to rehearse more and forge stronger on-court connections amid their jam-packed six-game preseason, head coach JJ Redick assured everyone he wasn't trying to pick a fight with his reply. He pointed out how the media seemed fixated on this topic, saying, 'You guys are really harping on this,' in a moment that highlighted the ongoing dialogue.
Pressed further on whether this was genuinely an issue or just noise, Redick emphasized his non-confrontational stance. 'I’m not being combative right now,' he explained. 'I just want to acknowledge that you guys, like the last four days, it’s becoming a little bit obsessive with all these questions about opportunities lost. So, I will answer it again. These are the cards that we were dealt. I sure would like everybody to be healthy.' It's a reminder that sometimes, external factors like player health can overshadow even the best-laid plans, and beginners in basketball strategy might appreciate how injuries can disrupt team-building efforts more than schedules alone.
Despite the challenges, the Lakers made lemonade out of lemons by defeating the Golden State Warriors 126-116 on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena, even without key players like LeBron James, who was dealing with sciatica, and Luka Dončić and Marcus Smart, who were battling Achilles tendinopathy. This victory showcases resilience—imagine a team adapting mid-game, much like how a startup pivots during unexpected market shifts to stay competitive.
With three more preseason matchups ahead—Tuesday in Phoenix, Wednesday in Las Vegas against the Dallas Mavericks, and Friday hosting the Sacramento Kings—the Lakers are facing four games in just six days. It's a grueling pace that could tire players out, but Redick was quick to note that the franchise chose this full slate, the NBA's maximum allowed.
And this is the part most people miss—Redick suggested it's worth debating for future seasons. 'It’s something to be discussed I think going forward,' he said. 'I think it’s awesome. I really do because we got to play in Palm Springs and I think it’s awesome that we get to play in Vegas and I recognize that there’s Lakers fans all over the world that maybe don’t get the chance to see us play. You hope that we can find some sort of balance in the future to get more practice time, less travel time. I’m sure at some point we’ll be one of the teams going overseas, so then that adds another scenario.' Here, we see a potential counterpoint: while expanding global exposure sounds exciting, does it dilute the core focus on training? Fans might argue this international reach builds a broader fanbase, but at what cost to on-court synergy?
Redick also highlighted that for building team cohesion during training camp, actual practice sessions often trump preseason games. 'I think more practices would be beneficial,' he noted. 'I do think the exposure to a game situation and playing against an opponent is very beneficial. You don’t have a lot of days anymore and to try to cram six games in there [and] four games in six nights, it’s significantly difficult.' To clarify for newcomers, think of it like preparing for a big exam—studying the material (practice) is crucial, but mock tests (games) add real-world application, yet overloading on tests can lead to burnout.
In their third preseason outing, standout performances from Austin Reaves (21 points), Dalton Knecht (16), Rui Hachimura (16), and Deandre Ayton (14 points, eight rebounds, five assists) proved the team could still shine without stars. As an example, this mirrors how underdogs in leagues rise through depth and individual brilliance during off-peak seasons.
Finally, Redick mentioned the plan for Smart to 'get two games [in] this week,' indicating a gradual return that could bolster chemistry as the regular season looms.
What do you think—should the NBA cap preseason games to prioritize practice, or is the current setup a smart way to engage fans globally? Is Redick downplaying a real issue, or is he spot on about adapting to what's given? Drop your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own take on balancing exposure and preparation in sports!
