During the California Classic, a crucial part of the NBA’s summer league calendar, Dalton Knecht has found himself struggling to re-establish his renowned scoring touch. The Los Angeles Lakers, featuring Knecht, fell to the Golden State Warriors with a lopsided score of 92-68 on Sunday. Knecht, in his 22 minutes on the floor, managed to score 12 points but had trouble finding his shooting rhythm, hitting just 3-of-13 attempts.
The shooting woes aren't new for Knecht during this California Classic. His performance on Saturday mirrored Sunday's struggles, finishing with 3-of-12 from the field. Through the first two games of the summer league, Knecht is 2-of-15 on jump shots, a stark contrast resulting in a mere 13.3% shooting accuracy. Despite these struggles, Knecht managed to get to the free-throw line 14 times and successfully converted 4-of-8 shots at the rim.
Finding Rhythm
Coming off an impressive collegiate season at Tennessee, where he averaged 21.7 points per game and shot 42.3% on catch-and-shoot three-pointers according to Synergy Sports, Knecht’s current difficulties seem somewhat out of character. Leading into the draft, he was widely regarded as a consensus top-10 pick. However, he slid out of the lottery on draft night, eventually joining the Los Angeles Lakers with high expectations.
Knecht himself acknowledged the challenges of returning to gameplay after a hiatus, having not played competitive basketball since March. "I haven't played since March. Just finding my rhythm again and keep playing with these new guys and keep adjusting," Knecht said. He remains focused on staying optimistic and embracing the shooter's mentality instilled in him by his father, "Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot."
Patience and Potential
Lakers’ summer league coach, Dane Johnson, expressed confidence in Knecht’s abilities despite the recent shooting slump. "Just being patient with it. It's a long summer league. It's going to come. He's a great player, so I'm not worried about him missing some of the shots he's taking. He's a great shooter. Let the game come to him. There are some [flashes] where you see that he's got it," Johnson stated. The coach’s faith underscores the potential seen in Knecht, pointing out the facets of his game that have shown glimpses of his collegiate brilliance.
Knecht and the Lakers still have one more game left in the California Classic, facing the Miami Heat on Wednesday. This game could serve as an essential opportunity for Knecht to regain his scoring form and build more confidence ahead of the main NBA season. If he can tap into the scoring prowess that marked his college career, Knecht has the potential to be a critical asset for the Lakers.
As the summer progresses, the ongoing development and adjustment period will be crucial for Knecht and other young talents. The summer league plays a pivotal role in player growth, allowing them to find their footing in professional basketball. For Knecht, patience combined with the ingrained mentality of ‘shooters shoot’ may just be the key to overcoming his initial struggles and emerging as the scorer the Lakers believe he can be.