The first play JJ Redick drew up against the Suns was a 3-point shot for Anthony Davis, which is a part of his plan to get the Lakers big to be more aggressive from beyond the arc this year.
In Anthony Davis’ final preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, he was, in a word, magnificent.
The Lakers big grabbed 10 rebounds and scored 35 points in the 34 minutes he played.
What made his offensive output most impressive was his three-level scoring. He bullied people inside the paint, the mid-range floater was hitting and beyond the arc, Davis went 4-9.
Davis’ ability to hit from deep has been a topic of conversation since the 2020 title season when he was a sniper from 3-point range, converting on 39% of his shots in the postseason.
With Lakers coach JJ Redick wanting everyone to shoot more threes, AD is no exception.
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After the win, Redick spoke postgame about Davis’ willingness to attack from the perimeter.
“He’s confident,” Redick said. “It’s the willingness that is exciting right now…We’re going to find that balance. He’s going to find that balance. He’s got to be willing. That’s the most important thing. I drew up the first play of the game for him to shoot a three and he knocks it down.
“Whether that’s confidence or relief, he was willing to shoot tonight and we want him to be willing to shoot. That doesn’t mean he’s going to take nine threes a game. I don’t think that’s realistic. But he’s got to sprinkle it in there.”
AD didn’t just hit a 3-pointer to start the game for the Lakers versus the Suns. He scored the first eight Lakers points—part of his 15-point opening quarter, hitting four 3-pointers in the first.
Anthony Davis the 3-point shooter is back????https://t.co/siG9tGACqj pic.twitter.com/oldy94yYzG
— Silver Screen and Roll (@LakersSBN) October 18, 2024
The 3-point shooting died down for AD after that opening quarter, only taking two more attempts the rest of the game, but the damage was done.
He made his shots, opened up the floor and used that confidence to attack the rim and take advantage of his size over the Suns in the paint.
Thanks to Dalton Knecht’s fourth quarter and overtime takeover, AD’s play was a little forgotten, but it’s the biggest deal in the long term.
If Redick can get AD to continue increasing his 3-point shots, it will create the best version of AD and elevate his game, along with the Lakers’ chances of jumping up the Western Conference hierarchy.
Redick’s theory is that AD can do this if he takes the shots to make it possible.
He more than tripled his 3-point attempts, going from last year’s 1.4 to 4.3 this preseason. Now, AD just needs to keep that aggression going when the regular season begins on Oct. 22 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.