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Luka Doncic Thrives Under JJ Redick’s Guidance with the Lakers
Luka Doncic, the Lakers’ newest superstar, is quickly adapting to life in Los Angeles, and much of the credit goes to head coach JJ Redick. Redick, who previously played alongside Doncic during their time with the Dallas Mavericks, has already made a significant impact on the court. Under Redick’s leadership, Doncic has led the Lakers to 10 wins in 15 games, including an impressive seven-game winning streak.
In his early days with the Lakers, Doncic has been putting up stellar numbers, averaging 26.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game. While his shooting percentages (40.0% from the field and 33.6% from three) are still a work in progress, Doncic has found his rhythm after initially struggling to adjust following a surprising trade.
Redick’s meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of the game have played a key role in maximizing Doncic’s strengths. After the Lakers’ 125-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, Doncic praised his coach’s basketball IQ.
"Makes my life easier," Doncic said about Redick. "Those actions that he put in… There was one ATO (after timeout) today where we ran it twice and scored on alley-oops. That explains JJ’s mind. The way he sees basketball is amazing."
Redick has primarily kept Doncic in control of the ball, allowing him to dictate the pace of the offense. The play-calling aligns perfectly with Doncic’s style, emphasizing traditional pick-and-rolls and exploiting mismatches. In Monday’s game, Redick’s structured approach led to 34 assists on 44 made field goals, with the Lakers shooting 19-of-48 from beyond the arc.
Doncic finished the game with 21 points, nine rebounds, and 14 assists, committing just three turnovers—a testament to his growing chemistry with his new teammates.
Doncic’s Struggles with Off-Ball Play in Dallas
Before joining the Lakers, Doncic faced challenges under Mavericks coach Jason Kidd’s strategy, which aimed to incorporate more off-ball movement into his game. This was a significant shift for Doncic, who has always been the focal point of his team’s offense due to his elite scoring and playmaking abilities.
Kidd believed that diversifying Doncic’s role would benefit the team, but the transition wasn’t seamless. Doncic admitted to struggling with the adjustment, saying, "Just overall. Just playing without the ball. Just all of it."
When Doncic missed time due to injury in November, Kidd emphasized the need to maintain the team’s pace, even when the star guard returned. "Normally you take a step back to wait on him," Kidd said. "We’ve gotta continue to keep pushing the pace. He’ll find a way to make it work."
However, Doncic’s time in Dallas came to an abrupt end when he was traded to the Lakers in February. Under Redick’s guidance, Doncic has seamlessly integrated into a system that balances his on-ball dominance with off-ball movement. Redick’s play designs often involve Doncic receiving the ball off screens, reducing the need for him to constantly hunt mismatches and conserve his energy.
The Lakers’ offense has been tailored to Doncic’s high-usage style, with LeBron James and Austin Reaves also making adjustments to accommodate the Slovenian superstar.
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Edited by Arhaan Raje
This version simplifies the structure, improves readability, and ensures a consistent tone throughout.
