The Los Angeles Lakers are doing better than expected. It’s only been two games, but it’s a simple and valid statement based on the style and quality of play, and the general level of energy and intensity on display so far.

During the second game of the season, first-year head coach JJ Redick showed a quality that will play a direct role in determining how high the Lakers’ ceiling is.

The clash with the Phoenix Suns got off to a brutal start, as Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and the rivals from Arizona simply couldn’t miss. It wasn’t necessarily that the Lakers played poorly on defense; Phoenix just couldn’t find a shot he wouldn’t make.

That included a period where the Suns made nine of 10 three-point field goal attempts, most of which came on strong plays.

In the second quarter, the Lakers found themselves in a 22-point hole. If it had been the team from a season ago, the game would have been there as Phoenix simply maintained a relatively high level of play and Los Angeles hung its head in defeat.

Redick didn’t let that happen. Instead, he stuck to his game plan and made sure the Lakers would play from 22 points the same way they would if it was a tie.

That mentality will define the Lakers’ season.

Many coaches and teams panic when they fall behind by as much as 22 points. However, Redick and the Lakers did nothing different as they continued to make the same plays they would have done if the game had been played under different circumstances.

Slowly but surely, the Suns’ heat cooled and the Lakers’ consistency won out as the opposition’s lead was erased and another double-digit gap went the other way.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that Anthony Davis went off again. He scored 35 points, eight rebounds, one offensive board, four assists, two blocks and a steal on 11-of-18 shooting, just one game after scoring 36 points against the Timberwolves.

However, on yet another night when LeBron James let the game come to him instead of trying to impose his will, it was a true team effort.

Dalton Knecht finished with eight points in 13 minutes, including two big threes in the first half, to start the reaction process to Phoenix’s run. Jaxson Hayes provided overall value as a backup center, including four assists, a block and a steal.

Gabe Vincent, meanwhile, came up with three steals and saved all five of his points for the second half, including the three that gave Los Angeles the lead late in the third quarter.

D’Angelo Russell made just one shot, but it was a three in the fourth quarter, while Rui Hachimura delivered his second triple during the final two minutes of the game. All of this complemented Davis’ dominance, James’ second-half tear, and Austin Reaves took on the lead role as a playmaker with an All-Star level 26 points, eight assists and three steals.

It was a compelling performance by the Lakers that was fueled by Redick simply staying the course when times got tough.

As the 2024-25 season progresses, that level of mental toughness will be essential to Redick’s success as a head coach. Both during matches and in the dressing room, he must be able to deal with the dangers of adversity if he wants to achieve overall success.

It may be early, but the first two games provided early evidence to support the belief that Redick is better prepared to be a head coach than anyone expected.