The Los Angeles Lakers were successful in the first week of the 2024-2025 NBA regular season. Facing three postseason-caliber teams, a back-to-back and the unenviable task of playing for a first-year head coach who is a quick learner, Los Angeles shockingly had the upper hand over each of its opponents.

With a 3-0 record heading into the second week of the 2024-25 season, the Lakers have given fans every reason to be optimistic about what the future will bring.

JJ Redick has exceeded expectations in his first three regular season games as head coach. He led Los Angeles past three teams that won at least 46 games last season, all of which were coached by proven players like Mike Brown, Mike Budenholzer and Chris Finch.

It remains unclear whether the Lakers will maintain an elite level going forward, but what is undeniable is that this is a different team despite the nearly identical roster.

Los Angeles is playing in a way that makes even the most ardent critics and skeptics question their projections. The ball is moving, players are working without it and the effort on both ends of the floor has taken a significant step forward.

Three key takeaways from the first week can adequately sum up that the Lakers are playing in a manner that bears no resemblance to the 2023-2024 team.

The season opener was an encouraging example of the type of offense Redick wants the Lakers to run. That might raise concerns in some camps, considering Los Angeles shot 16.7 percent from beyond the arc, but the film reveals a lot more than just the box score.

Redick forced the Lakers to make good shots regardless of whether they ultimately fell, and the end result was vastly improved performances during the second and third games of the week.

Los Angeles followed its 5-of-30 shooting against the Minnesota Timberwolves by knocking down 14 of 27 attempts from beyond the arc against the Phoenix Suns. A day later, the camera shot 14 out of 34 from distance, which translates to 41.2 percent.

Beyond the numbers, the film shows the Lakers working without the ball to create open looks and shoot at will when presenting themselves.

There will inevitably be games like the Timberwolves encounter where the shots just aren’t falling. Instead of being discouraged by that fact, Redick empowers his team to play with an aggressive streak. They take what the defense gives them, while constantly moving to generate the best shot possible.

Whether that results in a play in the paint, a midrange jumper or a three-point field goal, the Lakers are embracing a new mentality on offense — and they’ve scored 254 points over the past two games.

An argument could be made that no weakness in 2023-24 was more glaring than the Lakers’ refusal to crash the offensive glass. That may seem like a harsh description, but no team came close to the way Los Angeles ignored rebounds on that end of the floor.

In 2024-2025, the Lakers have already implemented a complete culture change, centered around a more energetic approach to all things offensive, including rebounding.

In 2023-2024, Anthony Davis ranked No. 1 in the NBA in second-chance points and top 10 in offensive rebounds per game. Somehow, the Lakers managed to finish last place as a team in both categories – by comfortable margins, no less.

Fortunately, Redick has made a concerted effort to ensure that the bad habits that emerged in 2023-2024 are erased in that area.

Davis remains a monster on the glass, but he is far from the only one. Austin Reaves is averaging 2.7 offensive rebounds per game through three outings, while Rui Hachimura is pulling down a team-leading 3.0 and Jaxson Hayes checks in at 1.7.

It’s still too early to appreciate statistics, of course, but the group’s attempt to correct an undeniable mistake was a joy to watch.

Many coaches have said they want to make Anthony Davis the offensive center, but JJ Redick is actually doing it. So 39-year-old superstar LeBron James has taken a step back and approached the offensive part of the court in a more selective and situational way.

That shift in superstar dynamics has worked in the Lakers’ favor so far, as Davis’ status as the focal point of the offense has propelled the team to a 3-0 record.

Davis joins Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant and Jerry West as the only players in Lakers history to start the season with three consecutive 30-point games. He was a monster on both ends of the court, directing traffic and making clutch plays late in the fourth quarter.

James, meanwhile, attempted 29 shots between the first two games before going off for 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists against the Kings.

It was a perfect representation of how the superstar dynamic has not only changed, but is better positioned for the Lakers to compete. Obviously, it makes more sense to play through a 31-year-old Davis than to put that burden on a 39-year-old James. Beyond the obvious point, however, is the simple fact that the offense flows more smoothly given Davis’ less ball-dominant approach.

Once this pattern is established, James can take over when the team needs him, rather than having to carry the load every night. So far 3-0 looks so good.