Dalton Knecht Struggles to Find Rhythm in California Classic
Dalton Knecht, a promising rookie for the Los Angeles Lakers, has found his early experiences in the California Classic to be a significant adjustment. During Sunday’s match against the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers suffered a tough loss with a final score of 92-68. Knecht’s performance in the game was a reflection of his current struggles, as he managed to score only 12 points on 3-of-13 shooting over his 22 minutes on the court.
Adjusting from his final collegiate season at Tennessee, where he averaged an impressive 21.7 points per game and hit 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, has proven to be a challenge in the summer league. His shooting touch, which once had him projected as a consensus top-10 pick before sliding out of the lottery on draft night, appears to have deserted him for now.
Through his first two summer league games, Knecht’s scoring has been markedly inefficient. He finished 3-of-12 from the floor on Saturday and is a mere 2-of-15 on jump shots, resulting in a meager 13.3% accuracy rate. Additionally, his free-throw performance has been mediocre, converting just 4-of-8 shots at the rim despite getting to the line 14 times.
Despite this rough start, Lakers' summer league coach Dane Johnson remains optimistic about Knecht's potential. "Just being patient with it. It's a long summer league. It's going to come. He's a great player, so I'm not worried about him missing some of the shots he's taking. He's a great shooter. Let the game come to him. There are some [flashes] where you see that he's got it," Johnson remarked. His faith in Knecht underscores the importance of patience and belief in a player’s abilities, even during difficult stretches.
For Knecht, the journey to rediscover his rhythm continues. Reflecting on his lackluster performance, he explained, "I haven't played since March. Just finding my rhythm again and keep playing with these new guys and keep adjusting. … Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot." His determination to adhere to the mindset of a shooter reveals a resilient spirit, essential for overcoming early career obstacles.
The Lakers have one more opportunity to find success in the California Classic, as they prepare to face the Miami Heat on Wednesday. This upcoming game offers Knecht another chance to exhibit his shooting prowess and to prove that his struggles are merely temporary setbacks in what could be a stellar NBA career.
The faith that both his coach and he himself have in his abilities will be critical as Knecht aims to turn things around. As the summer league progresses, all eyes will be watching to see if he can harness his potential and validate the promise he showed during his collegiate career. The journey of a rookie is rarely smooth, but with time, effort, and the right mindset, Dalton Knecht has every opportunity to rise and shine.