While Luka Doncic ranks in the top five in assists per game, the Los Angeles Lakers as a team rank near the bottom of the league. Their issues in moving the ball popped up in their loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night, particularly in the first half.
The Lakers managed just seven assists in the first half and found themselves down by 17 going into the locker room. Things were much better in the second half as the Lakers dished out 17 assists as a team and nearly completed the comeback against their crosstown rivals before ultimately coming up short.
Afterwards, Doncic was asked about the Lakers’ ball movement and how much responsibility he takes for their struggles and the superstar guard was honest in his feelings that a lot of the blame should fall on his shoulders, via Spectrum SportsNet:
“Probably a lot… As JJ said at halftime, the ball needs to move more and that’s what we did.”
The Lakers have two of the best playmakers in the history of the NBA in Doncic and LeBron James, not to mention another above-average creator in Austin Reaves when he is healthy. But sometimes with players who see the floor at that level and are used to having the ball in their hands, the offense can sometimes get stagnant as players watch while they operate in the pick-and-roll.
This is something head coach JJ Redick has spoken about as he clearly desires the Lakers getting more movement going in their offensive sets as that would benefit everyone. But the onus is ultimately on the playmakers themselves to ensure the ball is moving and Luka feels he hasn’t always done a good enough job with that.
The Lakers are clearly capable, and showed as such in the second half as the ball moved much better and their offense woke up because of it. But doing so consistently is what needs to happen and Doncic, LeBron and Reaves upon his return will need to make sure the ball is moving regularly.
Luka Doncic looking forward to Austin Reaves’ return for Lakers
The Lakers have sorely missed Reaves as he continues to recover from a calf injury, but he seems to be nearing a return to the court soon. And his backcourt partner Doncic recently spoke on his pending return, noting that he is excited to get him back on the court while praising him for everything he does for the Lakers.
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