JJ Redick reveals Luka Doncic’s ‘balance’ offensively

LOS ANGELES – Just over two months into the regular season, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić leads the NBA with 33.7 points per game. Whether it’s one of his patented 3-pointers with a rebound or driving to the basket, Doncic is the head of a snake for the Lakers when it comes to offense. Being able to find that balance in terms of his decision making is something that the Lakers head coach is all about JJ Redick believes he has done a solid job so far.

Before the Lakers’ game against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, JJ Redick explained how Doncic is constantly trying to find balance on offense and is having relative success doing so.

“I think there’s a balance you have to find. We talk about him, Austin when he’s in the lineup and LeBron obviously, those guys are the main guys that can create patterns for us off the dribble,” Redick said. “I think with Luke, he needs those three steps back to establish his drive. It’s all part of the balancing act he has as an offensive threat.”

“And he’ll come up to me sometimes and be like, ‘yeah, I should have driven, I should have driven that,'” Redick continued. “He’s the league leader in goals, I think he’s done a good job of finding that balance.”

Doncic led the Lakers offensively during Sunday’s win against the Sacramento Kings, snapping a three-game losing streak in the process. He had a game-high 34 points while shooting 11 of 23 from the field, 5 of 14 from the 3-point line and 7 of 8 from the free throw line. He also added five rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block.

At halftime of the Lakers’ game against the Pistons, Doncic had a game-high 22 points while shooting 6 of 12 from the field and 8 of 10 from the free throw line. With Austin Reeves currently out, it’s all good Doncic and James to orchestrate the attack.

Overall, he has appeared in 23 games this season with just over 36 minutes per game. In addition to his points, he is averaging 8.3 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 46.2 percent from the field. Doncic will have the ball in his hands most of the time for the Lakers, so his decision-making is key to the team’s success.

The Lakers are now 20-10 and in fifth place in the Western Conference standings. They are just two games back of the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs who are 23-9. And when the NBA announced the first round of results for In the All-Star voting, Doncic is currently the leading vote-getter.

As he continues to build on-court chemistry with James and eventually Reaves, continuing to find that balance will be key.