The Lakers had to settle for a four-point defeat in their previous meeting with the Suns earlier this month. When they faced Phoenix in Round 2 of their preseason matchup, JJ Redick didn’t want to repeat that result. In tonight’s thrilling overtime match at Footprint Center, the Los Angeles team prevailed 128–122.
Dalton Knecht, a rookie for the Lakers, scored a game-high 35 points. But according to the pre-game scouting report, Redick had his sights set on Ryan Dunn, a rookie for the Phoenix Suns.
Dunn, who was selected as the 28th choice in the 2024 NBA Draft, has shown promise in the preseason thanks to his effective three-point shooting. Redick, a professional marksman himself, asserted before reporters: “Had I known that Ryan Dunn was a 45% shooter, I think our draft board would have looked a little different.”
JJ Redick opes up about Ryan Dunn
Redick’s open and honest press briefings have been refreshing. The 40-year-old’s candor sets his criticism and admiration apart from those of his contemporaries. It’s unclear, though, how Lakers rookies Bronny James and Dalton Knecht feel about Redick’s remorse for losing out on Dunn. However, the head coach did go into further detail about what, in his opinion, makes the Suns’ rookie wing unique. He said :
“I think the thing that stood out when you watch the film, and obviously I saw him in person from a very close proximity, he’s got a high level of confidence right now when shooting the basketball.”
“There’s zero thought. I mean, it’s just like, ‘Am I open? Yes. I’m shooting.’ And to see that progression happen in such a short amount of time, from where he was this past season at UVA, it’s impressive,”
Ironically, Dunn’s inconsistent shooting was the reason he was still available at the end of the first round. During his two seasons at the University of Virginia, Dunn shot 23.5% from outside the arc and 52.5% from the free-throw line. Despite his lackluster shooting, the 6’8 wing was consistently regarded as one of the class’ top defenders.
