Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis. Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Anthony Davis open to changing his offensive approach

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Oct 24, 2024 6:19 AM ET

JJ Redick has impressed since taking the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching job. The former sharpshooter has already improved the team's halfcourt offense and overall defense, as shown during the preseason and the team's opening win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

Still, we're in the early days of Redick's tenure. As such, it's logical to expect more changes to come as the season wears on. According to Anthony Davis, one of those alterations could be the amount of work he does behind the three-point line. The veteran forward noted that Redick has been encouraging him to get more threes up during games.

“I shoot a lot of them in practice,” Davis said. “At the end of one practice, he [JJ Redick] was in front of the group. He said, ‘You shoot them in practice, but we need you to shoot them in the games.' After I shot nine in Phoenix, he said it again. He’s constantly on me, and not just him, [D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James], everybody. They tell me to shoot more; I’m gonna let it fly. I might shoot 15 this season.”

Davis has never been a high-volume perimeter shooter. His career high is 3.5 per game, which came during the 2019-20 season, the same year the Lakers last lifted a championship trophy. He shot 33% from deep that season.

When factoring Davis' injury history and the lower back problems that have blighted his time in Los Angeles, asking him to adapt his game is smart. By operating on the perimeter more frequently, his body will be taking less punishment inside the paint, potentially allowing him to remain healthy throughout the season.

Davis wouldn't be the first interior-based big to expand his shot. Brook Lopez added years to his career by making the same change. So did Al Horford, who helped the Boston Celtics win a championship last season. There's a proven value to adjusting as you enter the latter stages of your career.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, that means things might get ugly for Davis in the short term. If he's going to be getting more perimeter shots up, he will need to learn where his spots are, and that will mean plenty of missed shots.

Still, the Lakers hired Redick due to his commitment to a project and building sustainable success. Therefore, they are likely committed to any growing pains that come during the early part of his tenure. If Davis can develop a three-point shot and become a legitimate three-level threat, the Purple and Gold will be a much scarier team moving forward.

Redick's vision is already taking shape. How Davis adapts his game will play a big part in how the rookie head coach's debut season is remembered.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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