Due to untimely injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, Luke Kennard finds himself in an entirely new role for the Los Angeles Lakers. Previously, Kennard was a spot-up or movement shooter, and now he is a primary initiator alongside LeBron James.
To his credit, Kennard has done a great job of handling all the responsibilities that come with being a ball-handler. Despite dire circumstances, the former Duke Blue Devil thinks it is a full-circle moment to play alongside James and he has done a great job fitting in.
“It’s definitely a full-circle moment for sure,” Kennard said following Friday’s blowout win. “I mean, from high school, playing on his AAU team, and now sitting next to him in the locker room. We’re running a lot of two-man action in a game together. So yeah, it’s definitely something I don’t take for granted. We’re finding something that’s been working for us and it’s exciting to do. Obviously it’s a special opportunity for me and something that I’ve been grateful for since being here and I’m gonna continue to grow out there and try to find things that work for both of us. It’s been a lot of fun.”
This recent stretch has been extra special for Kennard, who not only is putting up solid numbers, but is doing it playing alongside one of his childhood idols. Kennard grew up in Ohio and notably broke a lot of James’ high school records and even played for the 41-year-old’s AAU team.
Forming a ball-handling tandem with James with little notice is impressive and it’s great to see Kennard embracing this challenge and having fun while doing it.
Throughout his eight-year career, the 6’5″ guard was never asked to do much besides shooting 3-pointers and occasionally attacking a closeout. Assuming Kennard is back next year, seeing how he can operate as an orchestrator may open up things for head coach JJ Redick.
Obviously, returning to his role as a shooter is best, but Kennard can step up in a pinch. Perhaps this newfound success as an on-ball creator and playmaker can empower him heading into the postseason.
Luke Kennard emphasizes ‘next man up’ as Lakers injury pile up
The NBA is cruel and the Lakers are seeing that firsthand after coming off a dominant month of March. With uncertainty surrounding Doncic and Reaves’ status for the first round of the playoffs, L.A. needs to pull off an upset to extend their season.
Kennard presumably arrived here with the hopes of playing next to Doncic, Reaves and James in a postseason setting. Unfortunately, that may not happen, but Kennard is emphasizing a ‘next man up’ mentality despite all these injuries mounting.
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