Dalton Knecht Searching for His Shot at California Classic
The early days of the California Classic have proven to be a litmus test for Dalton Knecht, a promising player struggling to find his rhythm on the court. Despite the high hopes surrounding Knecht after a standout collegiate career at Tennessee, his transition to the NBA stage has been anything but smooth thus far.
The Los Angeles Lakers endured a tough 92-68 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, a game that encapsulated Knecht's ongoing challenges. Scoring 12 points on a disappointing 3-of-13 shooting in 22 minutes, Knecht couldn't seem to catch a break. This followed another tough outing on Saturday, where he managed to shoot just 3-of-12 from the floor.
Overall, Knecht is 2-of-15 on jump shots through his first two summer league games, translating to a mere 13.3% accuracy. Despite the struggles from the perimeter, Knecht has shown some resilience in other areas, getting to the free-throw line 14 times and converting 4-of-8 attempts at the rim.
Flashes of Potential
There is no question about Knecht's talent. In his final season at Tennessee, he averaged an impressive 21.7 points per game, showcasing his scoring prowess. Additionally, his efficiency from beyond the arc was notable, with Knecht hitting 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers as per Synergy Sports. These numbers underscore the potential that led many to consider him a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the NBA draft. Although he slid out of the lottery on draft night, the Lakers believe in his ability to adapt and succeed at the professional level.
Dane Johnson, the Lakers' summer league coach, spoke about Knecht's early struggles and unwavering 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 said.
A Player's Perspective
For Knecht, the early stumbles aren't a cause for deep concern, but rather part of a broader journey. "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 reflected, maintaining an optimistic outlook despite the shooting slump.
With one more game left in the California Classic against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, Knecht has another opportunity to showcase his skills and take a step forward in finding his shooting touch. Adjusting to the pace and physicality of professional basketball can be a daunting task for any new player, but Knecht’s collegiate record provides a foundation of hope and optimism.
Looking Forward
The Lakers are also evaluating the broader potential of their summer league team, and while a single player's shooting woes can garner significant attention, it's the overall team performance that remains paramount. As Knecht continues to work through his shooting issues, his ability to adapt and his contributions in other facets of the game will be closely monitored by coaches and scouts alike.
In the context of summer league play, where player development and adjustment are equally important as victories on the scoreboard, Knecht's journey is emblematic of the challenges many rookies face. The Lakers, buoyed by his collegiate success, remain confident in his ability to find his footing and become a valuable asset to the team.
As the California Classic progresses, all eyes will be on Dalton Knecht, not just to see if he can break out of his shooting slump, but to confirm whether his collegiate promise can translate into NBA success. One game at a time, he will look to find the rhythm that once made him a feared scorer and a potential star on the hardwood.