The Los Angeles Lakers are on a great run at present as they build towards the playoffs. But they have been criticized for not fully maximizing their roster.
The LA Lakers win over the Timberwolves was the team’s fourth victory in a row, and the team are now 8-2 over the last 10.
LeBron James was the dominant force during the win, scoring 33 points and adding 17 rebounds, and there were contributions from all over the court.
One player who did not play up to his capability, was first round draft pick Dalton Knecht.
Knecht went 0-1-0 during his 11 minutes on the court, failing to make a meaningful contribution. This is a player who has shown he is capable, scoring 27 points in a game earlier this season, averaging 8.9 ppg.
Dalton Knecht was traded to the Charlotte Hornets at the deadline, before the deal was rescinded due to Mark Williams’ failed medical.
Knecht had made clear he just wants to play basketball, whichever team he is on, but with the Lakers’ team re-shaped, he is finding minutes tougher to come by.
He played 21 minutes in the win over the Clippers before the trade, and since the All-Star break, in which he played in the Rising Stars game, the most he has played for the Lakers is 13.
Speaking following the Lakers’ 111-102 win over the Timberwolves, former star Robert Horry believes JJ Redick must commit more to Knecht, and might need to, with Rui Hachimura exiting the game with an injury.
Horry explained, speaking to the Lakers’ post-game show on Spectrum: “When your coach plays you like he has been playing Dalton Knecht, I think that messes with you more than your shooting messes with your confidence.
“I’m shooting bad, but the coach doesn’t believe [in] me. So it’s like, dang it.
“I hope that Rui is healthy but if he’s not, JJ if you are watching, give Dalton Knecht some minutes, and don’t worry about him making mistakes.
“I’ve seen a lot of players starting playing more minutes than Dalton Knecht, messing up too.”
Lakers legend James Worthy expressed agreement with Horry’s words on Dalton Knecht, expressing sympathy with what he has endured over the past whirlwind month.
Worthy believes Knecht has quality that can benefit the Lakers, believing he can make a ‘key’ contribution as the season goes on, if he is granted the opportunity.
He said: “I agree with you 1,000% Rob, because you know, a young rookie who has been traded and then the trade didn’t go through, he has to come back. It took him a little bit. I could tell in his body language that he was just a little bit taken back as a rookie.
“Veterans don’t have that problem. They come back and just get back in the routine. So I agree with you 100% the way he was playing at the beginning of the season. I know teams started to focus on him a little bit. But the way he can shoot the three pump fake and relocate, he can get to the cup, he can stick it on people.
“He needs to get out of this thing that’s happened to him and I think I think he’ll be key. If somebody else don’t play.”
