Dalton Knecht's Quest for Rhythm in the California Classic
The California Classic has been a challenging terrain for Dalton Knecht, who is still searching for his rhythm on the court. As the Lakers faced off against the Golden State Warriors, it became clear that Knecht's struggles are far from over. The Lakers' 92-68 defeat on Sunday underscored the hurdles Knecht has yet to overcome in finding his shooting touch.
On Sunday, Knecht logged 22 minutes of playtime and scored 12 points, albeit on a tough 3-of-13 shooting. This followed another difficult outing on Saturday, where he managed only 3-of-12 from the floor. Through his first two summer league games, Knecht is 2-of-15 on jump shots, translating to a meager 13.3% accuracy.
Despite these struggles, Knecht has shown a proclivity for getting to the free-throw line, achieving 14 trips to the charity stripe across the two games. Meanwhile, he has converted on 4 out of 8 attempts at the rim, providing a glimmer of hope amidst his shooting woes.
Knecht's College Dominance
It's a stark contrast to the Dalton Knecht who dominated in his final collegiate season at Tennessee. Averaging an impressive 21.7 points per game, Knecht was a known sharpshooter, hitting 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, according to Synergy Sports. Such prowess led him to be a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the draft. Yet, on draft night, Knecht slid out of the lottery, landing him with the Lakers with much anticipation.
Patience and Perseverance
In the face of his current struggles, Knecht remains optimistic. "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," he shared, reflecting a resilient and hopeful mindset.
His sentiment is echoed by Lakers' summer league coach, Dane Johnson, who remains unperturbed by Knecht's shooting slump. "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, highlighting the importance of patience and the unwavering belief in Knecht's abilities.
Next Challenge: Miami Heat
With one more game left in the California Classic against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, Knecht has an opportunity to rediscover his form and showcase the talent that made him a standout in college. For now, it’s clear that both Knecht and the Lakers coaching staff are prepared to stay the course, trusting that his shooting touch will soon re-emerge.
As the journey through the summer league continues, all eyes will be on Knecht, hopeful that he can turn the tide and live up to the high expectations set by his impressive collegiate career. With patience, perseverance, and a few crucial adjustments, the young sharpshooter could very well find his rhythm once more, proving his mettle on the professional stage.