'I Don't Know What Else To Do,' Lakers' Redick Talks Recent Struggles on Offense
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick admitted Saturday he doesn't have an immediate answer as to how to solve his team's recent offensive struggles.
The Lakers have won two of their last six games, and they've been outscored by a combined 84 points in those four losses.
"I don't know what else to do," Redick told reporters Saturday about the Lakers' offensive struggles (h/t ESPN's Dave McMenamin).
Redick went on to describe attempting to organize an offensive drill at practice and finding his players weren't following his directions.
"That's happening so consistently right now," Redick said. "I chalk it up to the holidays."
That apparent lack of focus has caused problems for the Lakers in more than just practice, Redick noted.
Redick cited the Lakers' Friday win over the Memphis Grizzlies as another example of when he's struggled to communicate with his players.
The head coach said he tried to call a dozen plays after a timeout, just four of which were run correctly, during the 128-121 win over visiting Memphis (h/t McMenamin).
"Just a lot of slippage with execution. You should be able to transfer 30 seconds of time delay from the clipboard to another," Redick said. "So that was kind of frustrating."
One of the players who has struggled during this 2-4 stretch is DeAndre Ayton, who hasn't recorded more than 12 points in any of his last five starts.
Redick said Saturday he felt Ayton has been "frustrated" because "he doesn't feel like he's getting the ball," per McMenamin.
"There's opportunities for him to duck in at times, and he's not being active. There's opportunities for us to hit him when he does duck in, we're not hitting him," Redick said. "To me, it comes down to, is he going to be active, and engaged, and assertive? I think the trust level from the passer builds off that.
"But I think we've got to start the game trying to at least get him a couple touches before the seven-minute mark."
Ayton could be getting some more early touches when the Lakers return home for a rematch with the Grizzlies on Sunday night at 9:30 p.m. ET.
The Lakers will be playing this weekend without regular starters Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura. Getting more from production from Ayton this Sunday could be key for making up for those absences.
