Lakers continue to rely on team building, strong

ATLANTA — JJ Redick was already preaching one kind of Japanese philosophy, harping to his team about the idea of “kaizen” to improve each day. Off the court, the pinnacle coach discovered inspiration in another Japanese phrase.

Lakers gamers and coaches have used PechaKucha shows to facilitate team bonding this season. The slideshows, which come from the Japanese phrase for chitchat, may very well be a secret to the team’s scorching start as the Lakers (7-2) have received 5 consecutive video games getting into a five-game street that begins Saturday in Atlanta at 5 p.m. PST against the Hawks.

The Lakers have pieced together one of the NBA’s most environment friendly offenses despite accidents protecting LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic in and out of the lineup, relying on a strong team bond that’s developed shortly through an even sooner type of communication.

PechaKucha shows are historically 20 slides, each with a picture. The speaker has 20 seconds to clarify each slide for a complete presentation time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

The Lakers’ model consists of 5 slides: where you’re from; favourite basketball reminiscence; individual, event or factor that has impacted your life; your non-basketball completely happy place; and seller’s alternative.

“A lot of times most of the interactions you’ll have with your teammates is on the basketball court,” ahead Jake LaRavia said. “So it’s good to just kind of either learn some stuff about them outside of basketball, like hobbies and stuff like that, where they come from. And that just helps you kind of understand who the person is a little bit better.”

Assistant coach Scott Brooks began his presentation with a picture of a walnut, symbolizing the walnut farm he labored on during the weekends to help his household make ends meet. LaRavia confirmed a picture of his driveway as the origin of his basketball journey. Doncic spoke about how his daughter Gabriela modified his life.

One coach and one participant current, and then they each nominate the next coach or participant to go. With about half of the gamers and coaches left, Redick said he’s already noticing the holdouts actively planning their shows before their nominations.

“We’re just constantly encouraging and empowering our guys to get connected,” Redick said. “I believe if you’re connected off the floor, you’re connected on the floor. You need buy-in to that. I’m not trying to take credit for my staff here. It’s the guys on the team, they’re bought into that.”

Doncic, for one, isn’t bought. He deadpanned that he doesn’t suppose the exercise helps.

Just the fact that Doncic made the joke meant it’s working.

Settled after last season’s jarring commerce, the 26-year-old’s character has began to emerge among his teammates. He is a sarcastic jokester who expresses love for his teammates by threading passes to them through pinhole-sized gaps in the protection and then trash speaking them proper soon after.

Doncic’s smiling antics, whether or not he’s making an attempt to sit on Austin Reaves’ lap on the sideline or swishing halfcourt pictures in a contest with Reaves, Maxi Kleber and workers members, show just how linked the famous person feels to the team.

“Honestly, the feeling is I’m enjoying, very much, playing with these guys,” Doncic said. “AR [Reaves] can’t play. We’re still missing LeBron. So this team has a big potential. But everybody who steps on court, gives maximum, man, everybody. So it’s very enjoyable to play.”

Reaves is current on the street journey but will miss a third consecutive recreation Saturday. The Lakers ruled him out after apply Friday as his proper groin injury progressed to a pressure after beforehand being categorized merely as soreness.

James didn’t make the journey to Atlanta. He progressed to on-court basketball actions this week after lacking 4 weeks because of a sciatica on his proper facet. He was taking part in one-on-one with coaches, Redick said. A stint with the South Bay Lakers is on the desk, but no resolution has been made.

The NBA’s all-time main scorer hasn’t performed a single minute for the Lakers yet. Reaves, averaging 31.1 factors and 9.3 assists, has missed the last two wins, and Doncic has performed in only half of the video games. But the Lakers are still fifth in the NBA in offensive score.

“It shows how professional we are,” guard Marcus Smart said of the team’s chemistry despite continually altering personnel. “I think a lot of people, especially who aren’t in the brotherhood, they forget that you build a relationship with guys, and then one guy or a couple guys, you get traded and you got to rebuild another one. You don’t understand how tough that is, how much of a toll that takes.”

Just as Smart spoke, Doncic appeared behind the group of reporters, clapping loudly. Then Doncic made sure to put on the report that he would beat Smart at a team-building competitors that evening. Both smiled as they walked away.