Last year coming off training camp, it was coach Darvin Hamm who said it was rookie Jalen Huchefino who had impressed him the most, and unfortunately just recently the front office decided to decline the 21 year old's 3rd year option. A terrible sign especially for a Lakers team with Gabe Vincent eating a bulk of the backup guard minutes off the bench. Oddly enough this past summer the Lakers would select that the 17th overall pick once again But this time under new head coach JJ Redick, who also went out on a limb to go as far as saying that rookie Dalton Connect is in the top 1% of shooters, high praise especially coming from Redick who is an all-time great shooter himself. As we all now know, the story of the Lakers and their back-to-back 17th overall picks couldn't have panned out more differently, as again Jalen Huchefino would prove Darvin Ham's prophecy to be entirely inaccurate, while Dalton Connect on the other hand has proven to be everything JJ Redick has said and more.
Currently the 17th overall pick finds himself top 5 in betting odds to win rookie of the year, but anyone who's watched connect's latest 2 game stretch thriving as a starter alongside Lebron James and Anthony Davis knows that connect might just be starting to scratch the surface on a rookie of the year race that could be his to lose. Following the Lakers victory against the pelicans where connect dropped a career high 27 points, head coach JJ Redick revealed in his highly complimentary praise that only 1 maybe 2 plays were drawn for connect, while the rest of the 23-year-old's buckets were credited due to the rookie's offensive awareness throughout the flow of the game in his extended run. It's not just about Connect erupting for a career high though, it's also the way he competed on the glass walking away with 7 rebounds, moved the ball around decisively with 2 assists, and sparked some easy transitions with 2 steals of his own. If JJ Redick's praise doesn't give away that the coaching staff has a lot of stock in Connect continuing to grow his role in the rotation, Lakers superstar LeBron James went as far as saying that when Konek's out there on the floor, the rookie shooting has been infectious.
Just as a reminder, this is a rookie who's played less than 12 regular season games that the coaching staff and team leaders are gushing over, and we're more than likely just seeing the tip of the iceberg in regards to what Dalton Konek's capable of. It's a no-brainer for the coaching staff to continue milking Konek's scorching hot production until opposing teams find something to do about it. But now the internal debate within the fanbase has become whether Dalton Konekt should be seen as increasing his role of heavier minutes as a starter or off the bench.
Frankly there's no right answer given the case could be made going either way since Konekt is best positioned to capitalize on all the spacing that LeBron James and Anthony Davis caused from collapsing the defense. But at the same time, all season long this team has been suffering from a lack of firepower coming off the bench as well. Redick and his coaching staff has adjusted accordingly with the benching of DeAndre Russell, in efforts to make a more well-balanced rotation, but in the process of mixing things up, there's been a question mark in regards to who the coaching staff can trust to be the Lakers'third consistent scoring option behind a pair of superstars who bring it every night.
At times it looks like Austin Reeves, Roy Hachimura, or DeAndre Russell, but now it wouldn't even be far-fetched to say that rookie Dalton Connect has already forced himself into that conversation. So let me know down in the comment section below. Should Don Connect's role be expanded as a starter or coming off the bench?
Additionally, how does Don Connect rank amongst other members of the supporting cast? But that's it for the video, take it easy guys. It's a deeper shot of the NBA. Hachimura connects on the long two. Spent 30 days in the hospital.
The leukemia cells successfully eliminated from his body. We talked with the officials before the game. They said Scott is in really good spirits and hopes to be back in the NBA. Here's Konect.
Konect! Right under the rim for an easy two for Memphis, their easiest two of the night. Connect from the baseline knocks down another one. Yes, he now is gonna get to a rhythm.
He banked in the first one. How about the Cleveland Cavaliers 13-0. The 16th ever for the previous five made the NBA Finals. Off to a great start though shooting the ball this season from deep around 45%. Connect trying to answer does.
Smooth stroke from the corner. Connect will try again. And hit again.
Sets up Huff. A J-Huff three is off. And he has not shot the ball well from distance tonight.
0 for 4. Connect meanwhile he has and continues. Smart wide open look. It's no good though.
Short and James rebounds. Lakers can tie or retake the lead. Connect. Plays it for Kalenka. Mark gets deep.
Tried to hand it off, Kinnock got the steal. Davis up top. A three!
Ball back on the turnover. Brandon Ingram losing the handle. LeBron now another turnover.
That's the thing, if you turn it over. Kept it alive and it went to Anthony Davis. Now Reeves looking in transition. Good pass. That's a good cut too.
Yep. That's a great cut. Gotta get back.
Floor balance. You can see the... On screen. Vincent on his strong side. Wrong guy.
But it's a smart play, because what it's doing is putting Trey Jemison in action. Now you gotta go up. Brandon's gotta go. Turnover. Numbers.
And Belair. Now you gotta go up. Brandon's gotta go. Turnover.
Numbers and the layup. Good pass to the shooter. Great pass by Elson Reed.
Yep. Wasted opportunity. Extra pass to the shooter.
KYB, not your personnel. But he can't burn him. Eve, can he hang on? Taken away.
Yes. Couldn't hang on. It squirts free. And Brandon Boston saw that. Now, can you capitalize?
Russell. Can't walk away from him. Man, man, that was a great...
He got the green light. And he had space, didn't he? D'Angelo Russell for southpaw.
Connect, make the handoff, and gives him the lead. And that's a veteran move. Right, who would have thought that midway through the third quarter. Tried to clear some space. Austin Reeves.
There's the shooter that's killed the Pels. Shares it. Anthony Davis midrange. And he is good.
He hustled. It'll be Anthony Davis. Might as well go double him.
Go double him. And Russell. Breakdown. Connect. And lost the handle.
Up against the pressure of Anthony Davis. Wrong guy. Three ball. Nobody accounted.
Eve, they want to go to any they're gonna get it. It's a, it's a.