Dalton Knecht, making his debut at the California Classic with the Los Angeles Lakers, has faced a rocky start as he grapples to find his shooting rhythm. The recent contest against the Golden State Warriors saw the Lakers fall 92-68, with Knecht contributing 12 points on a tough 3-of-13 shooting display over 22 minutes on the court.
Despite these early troubles, Knecht remains confident and undeterred. "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," Knecht shared, shedding light on his determined mindset.
In his previous game on Saturday, Knecht's shooting woes persisted as he ended with 3-of-12 from the floor. His overall accuracy for jump shots has been a mere 13.3%, hitting only 2 out of 15 attempts in his first two summer league appearances. These numbers are a stark contrast to his impressive collegiate performance at Tennessee, where he averaged 21.7 points per game and converted 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, as documented by Synergy Sports.
Still, there are positive takeaways. Knecht has shown an ability to get to the free-throw line, making 14 appearances in his initial games, and he scored on 4-of-8 shots at the rim. These glimpses of his offensive potential have not gone unnoticed by his supporters. "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," Lakers’ summer league coach Dane Johnson remarked encouragingly.
The journey from a formidable college player to a summer league newcomer hasn't been without its challenges. Initially projected as a consensus top-10 pick in the NBA draft, Knecht experienced a draft-night slide that saw him slip out of the lottery. This transition period has undeniably tested his mettle, but his perseverance and spirit remain evident.
As the California Classic progresses, Knecht and the Lakers will have one more opportunity to demonstrate their growth and potential, facing off against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. Observers and fans alike will be keen to see if Knecht can harness his collegiate form and make an impactful statement on the summer league stage.
The Lakers' summer league run has offered a mixed bag of performances, but the promise of players like Knecht continues to fuel hope. Adjusting to new teammates and the elevated competition level is a process, one that Knecht is tackling head-on. In these opening games, his struggle is apparent, yet so too is his potential – a potential that Lakers' coaching staff believes will shine through given time and patience.
In the landscape of professional sports, particularly in transitional phases like the summer league, the mental toughness and resilience of young players are often as critical as their physical skills. With Knecht's attitude and unwavering belief in his abilities, as instilled by his father's advice, the foundation is firmly in place for a rebound. The basketball community will watch intently to see if Knecht can find his rhythm, transform his shooting woes into scoring proficiency, and ultimately, fulfill the lofty expectations set during his college years.