Luke Kennard was the Los Angeles Lakers’ lone trade deadline acquisition, but it has paid off much more than anyone expected.
The Lakers sent out Gabe Vincent’s expiring deal for Kennard and the sharpshooting guard became an immediate boost for the group offensively. Kennard even excelled in an on-ball role following injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, later saying that he was comfortable and not worried about his efficiency shooting the basketball.
Now, heading into Los Angeles’ playoff series against the Houston Rockets, Kennard emphasized the team still believes they can win despite being undermanned.
“I think I don’t feel much pressure going into this,” Kennard said after Thursday’s practice. “It’s a thing where we still believe in what we have, who we’re going to start the series with out there and I think everybody believes in that and I think you have to have that belief throughout the entire time no matter how this first game goes, or the second game. It’s a long series, that’s why it can go to seven games.
“Like I said, we believe in what we have. I think being maybe somewhat of an underdog with guys out it kind of gives us this sense of freedom to go out there and just play hard. And again, we’re going to follow our preparation and our work that we’ve put in so far. I think we’re going into it believing that we have a chance.”
Record-wise, the Lakers were one of the best teams in the NBA after the All-Star break as they finally gelled together on both ends of the floor. Doncic and Reaves were huge factors in L.A.’s success, so it’s easy to understand why people of outside the organization are low on the Lakers’ chances or advancing past Houston.
The purple and gold shouldn’t necessarily be counted out, though, as they still have a motivated LeBron James available, plus a solid supporting group headlined by the likes of Kennard.
In the postseason, talent is usually a major determinant when it comes to who wins and advances but the Lakers and Kennard are hoping they can buck the trend.
Luke Kennard describes full-circle moment playing alongside LeBron James
Kennard gets to enjoy playing next to LeBron James, a star he grew up idolizing as he is also from Ohio. Since joining the Lakers, Kennard’s shown great chemistry with James and described the full-circle moment as something that’s been a lot of fun.
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