The decisive strength that JJ Redick showed with the Lakers-Suns will determine their title chances

The Los Angeles Lakers are better than expected. It's only been two games, but it's a simple and valid statement based on the style and quality of play as well as the general energy and intensity shown so far.

In the second game of the season, first-year head coach JJ Redick showed quality that will have a direct impact on how high the Lakers' ceiling is.

The duel with the Phoenix Suns got off to a brutal start as Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and their rivals from Arizona simply couldn't miss a beat. It wasn't necessarily that the Lakers played poorly on defense; Phoenix simply couldn't find a shot it wouldn't take.

That included a stretch in which the Suns made nine of 10 three-point field goal attempts, with most coming through strong matchups.

In the second quarter, the Lakers found themselves in a 22-point hole. Had it been the team from a season ago, the game would have been over, as Phoenix simply maintained a relatively high level of play and Los Angeles bowed its head in defeat.

Redick didn't allow that. Instead, he stuck to his game plan and ensured that the Lakers would play from a 22-point deficit the same way they would have in a tie.

This mentality will define the Lakers' season.

Many coaches and teams panic when they find themselves behind by as much as 22 points. However, Redick and the Lakers did nothing different as they continued to make the same plays they would have made under different circumstances.

Slowly but surely, the Suns' heat check cooled and the Lakers' consistency prevailed as their opponent's lead was erased and a new double-digit gap turned the other way.

It obviously didn't hurt that Anthony Davis dropped out – again. He posted 35 points, eight rebounds, one offensive board, four assists, two blocks and one steal on 11 of 18 shooting, just one game after scoring 36 points against the Timberwolves.

However, on another night where LeBron James let the game come to him instead of trying to impose his will, this was a true team effort.

Dalton Knecht finished the game with eight points in 13 minutes, including two big three-pointers in the first half to start the process of responding to Phoenix's run. Jaxson Hayes delivered comprehensive performances as the backup center, including four assists, a block and a steal.

Gabe Vincent, meanwhile, had three steals and scored all five second-half points, including the three that gave Los Angeles the lead late in the third quarter.

D'Angelo Russell fired just one shot, but it was a three-pointer in the fourth quarter – while Rui Hachimura delivered his second three-pointer in the final two minutes of the game. All of this complemented Davis' dominance, James' second-half tears and Austin Reaves leading the playmaking role in an All-Star performance with 26 points, eight assists and three steals.

It was a convincing performance from the Lakers, fueled by Redick simply staying the course in difficult times.

As the 2024-25 season progresses, this level of mental toughness will be critical to Redick's success as a head coach. Both during games and in the locker room, he must be able to deal with the dangers of adversity if he wants to be successful overall.

It may be early, but the first two games provided early evidence that Redick is better prepared for the head coaching job than anyone expected.