Dalton Knecht is grappling with a rough start in the California Classic, struggling to find his shooting touch. Despite his valiant efforts, the Los Angeles Lakers succumbed to the Golden State Warriors in a lopsided 92-68 defeat on Sunday. Knecht, a player with high expectations, managed to put 12 points on the board but did so with a concerning 3-of-13 shooting performance.
In his previous outing on Saturday, Knecht’s shooting woes persisted, finishing with a 3-of-12 mark from the field. Over the first two games of the summer league, Knecht's jump-shooting has been particularly underwhelming, making just 2-of-15 attempts, translating to a mere 13.3% accuracy.
Yet, the numbers don't tell the whole story. Knecht has shown resilience by getting to the free-throw line 14 times in these games and converting 4-of-8 attempts at the rim. These flashes are promising and hint at the scoring prowess he displayed in his final collegiate season at Tennessee, where he averaged a robust 21.7 points per game.
While some may be quick to write off Knecht’s early struggles, it’s important to remember his pedigree and the impressive statistics he posted at Tennessee, including a formidable 42.3% success rate on catch-and-shoot three-pointers as reported by Synergy Sports. His talent made him a consensus top-10 pick in the lead-up to the draft, although he eventually slid out of the lottery on draft night.
Knecht himself remains unfazed by the early hiccups. "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 said, reflecting a calm and confident outlook despite the immediate challenges.
From the coaching staff’s perspective, patience and confidence in Knecht’s abilities shine through. "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," commented Lakers’ summer league coach, Dane Johnson.
As the Lakers gear up for one final game in the California Classic against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Knecht. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if he can rediscover the form that made him a standout star in college. The young player's journey through these early struggles may well be a formative experience, potentially solidifying his resolve and honing his skills for greater challenges ahead.
The summer league is not just about individual statistics; it's a critical time for players to acclimatize to the faster pace and more complex schemes of professional basketball. For Knecht, these initial games, though challenging, provide invaluable lessons and adjustments that are part of the broader journey to his professional success.
While the road has been bumpy so far, Knecht's resilience, combined with the Lakers' staff's measured confidence in his abilities, offers hopeful signs. True to his father's advice and his own ingrained philosophy, the next shot may very well be the turning point as "shooters shoot." The upcoming game against the Miami Heat offers another platform for Knecht to showcase his potential and take a definitive step in regaining his rhythm.
For now, the narrative remains one of early struggles and future promise. The weight of expectations is heavy, but Knecht’s attitude and the support from his coaches suggest he's poised to navigate this initial turbulence with the determination befitting a player of his caliber.