3 key lessons from the Lakers in the first week of the 2024-25 regular season

The Los Angeles Lakers were a champion in the first week of the 2024-25 NBA regular season. Facing three postseason-caliber teams, a back-to-back and the unenviable task of playing for a first-year head coach who learns on the fly, Los Angeles shockingly outscored each of its opponents.

With a 3-0 record entering the second week of the 2024-25 season, the Lakers have given fans every reason to be optimistic about what the future could hold.

JJ Redick has exceeded all expectations in his first three regular season games as head coach. He led Los Angeles past three teams that won at least 46 games last season, all coached by proven figures like Mike Brown, Mike Budenholzer and Chris Finch.

It remains unclear whether the Lakers will maintain a top-notch level of play moving forward, but there is no denying that they are a different team despite the near-identical roster.

Los Angeles is playing out in a way that inspires even the staunchest critics and skeptics to question their predictions. The ball is moving, the players are working without it, and the effort at both ends of the pitch has taken a significant step forward.

Three key takeaways from Week 1 can neatly summarize that the Lakers are playing in a way that bears no resemblance to the 2023-24 team.

The season opener was an encouraging example of the type of offense Redick expects from the Lakers. That might be cause for concern in some camps, since 16.7 percent of “Los Angeles” was shot from beyond the angle of shooting, but the film reveals much more than the box office rating.

Redick pushed the Lakers to take good shots regardless of whether they ultimately fell short, and the end result was much improved performances in the second and third games of the week.

Los Angeles, following its 5-of-30 shooting against the Minnesota Timberwolves, had 14 of its 27 attempts from beyond the arc canceled against the Phoenix Suns. A day later it shot 14 of 34 from distance, which corresponds to a hit rate of 41.2 percent.

Beyond the numbers, the film shows the Lakers working without the ball to create open looks and shoot at will when presented.

There will inevitably be games like the one against the Timberwolves where the shots just don't fall. Instead of being discouraged by this fact, Redick encourages his team to play with an aggressive line. They take advantage of what the defense gives them while constantly taking action to get the best shot possible.

Whether it's a play, a mid-range shot or a three-point field goal, the Lakers have adopted a new mentality on offense – and they've scored 254 points in the last two games.

One could argue that no weakness was more glaring during the 2023-24 season than the Lakers' refusal to destroy the offensive glass. That may sound like a harsh description, but no team came close to making Los Angeles miss the rebound on that end of the floor.

Heading into the 2024-25 season, the Lakers have already undergone a complete culture shift focused on a more energetic approach in all areas of offense – including rebounding.

During the 2023-24 season, Anthony Davis was No. 1 in the NBA in second-chance points and top 10 in offensive rebounds per game. Somehow, as a team, the Lakers managed to finish last in both categories – and by a comfortable margin, no less.

Thankfully, Redick has made a concerted effort to ensure that the bad habits established in this area in 2023-24 have been eradicated.

Davis continues to be a monster on the glass, but he's far from the only one. Austin Reaves is averaging 2.7 offensive rebounds per game in three appearances, while Rui Hachimura is averaging a team-high 3.0 and Jaxson Hayes is averaging 1.7.

Of course, it's still too early to evaluate statistics, but the group's efforts to fix an undeniable flaw was a joy to see.

Many coaches have said they want to make Anthony Davis the offensive focal point, but JJ Redick is actually doing it. The 39-year-old superstar LeBron James has taken a step back and is approaching the offensive end of the floor more selectively and situationally.

This shift in the superstar dynamic has benefited the Lakers so far, as Davis' status as the center of the offense has helped the team to a 3-0 record.

Davis joins Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant and Jerry West as the only players in Lakers history to start the season with three consecutive 30-point games. He was a monster on both ends of the floor, directing traffic and stepping up with clutch plays late in the fourth quarter.

James, meanwhile, attempted 29 shots between the first two games before posting 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists against the Kings.

It was a perfect testament to how the superstar dynamic has not only changed, but also put the Lakers in a better position to compete. It clearly makes more sense to play through a 31-year-old Davis than to place that burden on a 39-year-old James. Beyond the obvious point, however, is the simple fact that the offense is running more smoothly given Davis' less ball-dominant approach.

With this pattern established, James can take over when the team needs him rather than having to carry the load every night. So far, 3-0 looks so good.