Many expect to miss the playoffs, but the Los Angeles Lakers have set the pace for one of the best seasons of the LeBron James era. First-year head coach JJ Redick has guided Los Angeles to a 9-4 start to the 2024-2025 regular season, with wins over opponents of all caliber.

Two of the central figures of that era were franchise player Anthony Davis and breakout rookie Dalton Knecht.

Davis has carried the Lakers through their nine-game winning streak with an elite combination of offensive value and defensive omnipotence. Knecht has struggled at times, but at his best he was one of the most important players for the purple and gold.

In a recent post-match interview, Davis gave the perfect critique of Knecht to round up the highs and lows.

If the only criticism your teammates have of you is that you don’t shoot enough, then the tools are at your disposal to become the “great player” they believe you can be.

Through 13 games, Knecht is averaging 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.8 three-point field goals made in 20.2 minutes per game. His numbers translate to 16.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 offensive board, 2.2 assists and 3.1 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.

The most impressive element of Knecht’s success is exactly what Davis said: When he shoots, it’s expected to go in. Look no further than his slash line of .484/.404/1.000 for supporting evidence.

No matter how strong the production is from a rookie, the Lakers are hoping Knecht will let go of the fear that was present during the first few weeks of the season. He was drafted and inserted into the rotation because of how dynamic he is as a scorer, and even the franchise player would like to see him shoot with more confidence.

Fortunately, that trend is starting to turn in the Lakers’ favor during the best three-game stretch of Knecht’s career to date.

Knecht exceeded 30 minutes for the first time this season during the Lakers’ recent 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He scored a season-high 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting from the field and 5-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc, while also contributing three assists, two rebounds and a steal.

The next time out, Knecht scored 14 points and three rebounds in 26 minutes as the Lakers defeated the San Antonio Spurs 120-115.

It was the first time this season that Knecht scored at least 10 points in consecutive games. Never one to rest on his laurels, Knecht used that as a launching pad for the performance that had Lakers fans going crazy realizing his upside.

With 27 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 104-99 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Knecht justified Davis by giving him the title of a great player.

All it took was to follow the advice to shoot more freely.