After years of everyone seemingly knowing about the problem other than the Lakers, the team finally admitted they stink in third quarters after their season-opening loss to the Warriors.
Even if it was
long overdue, seeing them finally address it was at least a step in the right direction. But the team needed to follow up their words with actual actions of improvement.
That’s what made Friday’s performance so encouraging. And potentially historic. The Lakers finally came out strong to start a second half, leading to the unthinkable: an early timeout from their opponent.
In fact, if you ask head coach JJ Redick, it might be the first time in franchise history that’s happened.
So, what was the magic words from Redick that fired the team up at halftime? Was it a motivating speech like from “Hoosiers” or “Any Given Sunday?” Was it tactical brilliance? Was it connecting with the players for his words to really hit home?
It was none of that.
Short, sweet and to the point it is, then!
Was everything actually fixed when it comes to third quarters for the Lakers? A one-game sample size probably isn’t enough to determine that, though I’m willing to make sweeping conclusions based off of them if they fit my narrative.
But there is something to be said about the team being aware of the problem and there being a collective focus on addressing it. The Lakers clearly have that as the players and coach talked about it after losing to the Warriors.
If they keep that approach throughout the season, then it hopefully it leads to the problem being solved.
And if Redick keeps offering great motivational speeches.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
