JJ Redick has worked tirelessly to extract any potential from the lesser-known players on the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster.
Jaxson Hayes saw just 26 minutes of play across the Lakers’ first three games in their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, during which time the Lakers were outscored by 18 points. Nonetheless, he was still a starter for Game 4. Jordan Goodwin, who was on a two-way contract only a month ago, ended up playing crucial minutes in the first half on Sunday due to Austin Reaves facing foul trouble. As a rookie head coach, Redick is desperately seeking any sign of depth or flexibility within the lineup.
However, by halftime of Game 4, Redick had seen enough. He opted to keep LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and Dorian Finney-Smith on the court for the entirety of the second half. “It wasn’t the plan,” Redick remarked to reporters. “We just made the decision at halftime.”
The Lakers turned dominant in the third quarter, leading 36-23, and at one point had a 12-point advantage in the fourth. Yet, their primary five players faded as the game progressed. Following a stomach virus, Dončić shot poorly in the fourth quarter, going 1-of-6, while 40-year-old James failed to score at all. Ultimately, the Lakers could manage only one two-point field goal during the final quarter, leading to a narrow 116-113 loss as they now find themselves down 3-1 in the series, one defeat away from elimination.
This sequence of events could easily be viewed as a rookie error by Redick, especially given the recent outcome for Denver. The Nuggets, led by rookie coach David Adelman, had a similar situation where he relied heavily on his starters, each logging over 42 minutes. This decision almost backfired as the Clippers made a significant fourth-quarter comeback.
Both Redick and Adelman faced limited choices due to lack of roster depth, where depending on any player outside the core was risky. The Lakers have been hindered by a lack of scoring outside of their main five, exhibiting a dwindling reliance on Hayes and others who have struggled offensively, further intensifying the pressure on the core group to perform.
The Lakers are emblematic of a crucial reality in the pursuit of NBA championships: while regular-season success highlights strengths, playoff success often exposes weaknesses. Despite having significant talents like James and Dončić, the lack of depth has severely impacted their playoff performance, revealing that their current roster is not built for success in these critical moments. Moving forward, a revamped and more versatile group will be essential for the Lakers to reclaim their championship aspirations.
