Two days after their 110-103 season-opening victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Anthony Davis and the LA Lakers’ practice spirits appear high. The JJ Redick-coached squad competed in another energetic “guards vs. bigs” drill, allowing Davis to get lighthearted revenge against his teammate Austin Reaves.
During the first iteration of Redick’s drill in training camp early this month, Reaves scored a floater over Davis. Afterward, he jokingly talked trash and made a “too small” gesture toward the superstar center.
Redick conducted Round 2 of the exercise on Thursday, with Davis again matching up against Reaves. The nine-time All-Star missed his first shot over Reaves, a jump hook. The stop gave the guards a point and Reaves fervently celebrated.
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However, Davis bounced back by hitting a fadeaway jumper over Reaves on the next possession. Afterward, he did Reaves’ “too small” taunt back to him.
Guards vs. Bigs at #Lakers practice was quite the competition. 👀
(via @Lakers) pic.twitter.com/j9br5Mxww5
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) October 4, 2024
However, Reaves and the guards got the last laugh, as they got enough stops on the bigs to pick up a victory. They did so with the help of Redick, who joined in and secured the deciding stop on reserve center Jaxson Hayes.
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Anthony Davis says Lakers and JJ Redick have mutual “trust” amid continued good vibes surrounding team
JJ Redick already appears to have won over his team to begin his rookie coaching campaign.
Apart from LA’s continued good practice vibes, Anthony Davis raved about his coach’s preparation following Tuesday’s win. Davis added that Redick and his players have already developed mutual trust.
“The game plan, the schemes that he had on both ends of the floor … he trusts us, and we trust him as far as what he teaches us and what he wants us to do on the floor,” Davis said. “… I think we were very prepared tonight.”
According to Davis, the Lakers’ respect for Redick stems from his competitive spirit and straightforwardness.
“We have all bought into what he is trying to build,” Davis said. “He still has that competitive nature as a coach. You know, his will to win. (He’s) a straight shooter. Everything like he was as a player, he’s kind of transferred over, which can be tough coming from player to coach.”
In his regular-season debut under Redick, Davis dominated Minnesota, finishing with a game-high 36 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.