JJ Redick On Jake LaRavia And Jarred Vanderbilt's Comebacks The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to take on the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena, with head coach JJ Redick addressing the team’s recent challenges during a pregame press conference. Redick focused on the progress of two bench players, Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt, who have both struggled with consistency but are showing signs of improvement. LaRavia, who has been a key contributor off the bench, faced criticism from Redick after a poor performance in a recent loss to the Denver Nuggets. “I told him he was awful,” Redick recalled, referencing LaRavia’s subpar play in two consecutive games. The forward had only two points and one assist in the loss, shooting 16.7% from the field. However, since then, LaRavia has rebounded with multiple eight-point outings during the Lakers’ three-game winning streak. Redick praised his ability to perform in transition, defend on closeouts, and contribute physically, noting that his recent improvements have made him a reliable asset for the team. LaRavia’s resurgence has been crucial for the Lakers, who are aiming to secure a playoff spot. The forward has averaged 8.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists this season while shooting 45.8% from the field. His consistent availability has also been a boon, as he has missed no games this season. Redick emphasized the importance of players like LaRavia maintaining their roles, especially with the team nearing the playoffs. Vanderbilt, who recently returned to the rotation after a slump, also received attention from Redick. The forward had been sidelined for several games but has since re-established himself with over 10 minutes of action in each of the Lakers’ last three wins.#los_angeles_lakers #jj_redick #chicago_bulls #jake_laravia #jarred_vanderbilt
Lakers News: JJ Redick Remains Confident In Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia has struggled to find his rhythm for the Los Angeles Lakers despite the team’s recent four-game winning streak. His three-point shooting has been particularly inconsistent, with LaRavia shooting 1-for-14 from beyond the arc in March. While he isn’t known as a high-volume shooter, his ability to knock down mid-range and catch-and-shoot opportunities has been a key part of his game. His career three-point shooting percentage stands at 35.1%, but his performance with the Lakers has dipped to 31.6% this season. Despite these challenges, LaRavia has remained focused on his role and the trust placed in him by the coaching staff. Head coach JJ Redick has consistently emphasized confidence in the 24-year-old’s ability to work through slumps. Redick highlighted LaRavia’s contributions in recent games, noting his reliability in specific areas of the offense. “He’s been exemplary in his role since coming back from the All-Star break,” Redick said. “The things we’re asking him to do, he’s done at a really high level.” Redick acknowledged a recent dip in LaRavia’s performance, referencing a stretch where the forward struggled in two consecutive games. However, he pointed to LaRavia’s ability to bounce back, calling it a testament to his character. “He played terrible in both games on both ends,” Redick said, “but he’s responded like he always does. He’s been great with his physicality, rebounding, crashing the glass, and disruption on defense. His on-ball defense has been getting better as the season has progressed.” While LaRavia’s offensive struggles have been a concern, Redick stressed that there are multiple ways to contribute to the team’s success.#los_angeles_lakers #jj_redick #all_star_break #jake_laravia #luk_kennard
JJ Redick Blunt on Lakers' Struggling Forward Jake LaRavia Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick has openly criticized forward Jake LaRavia’s recent performance, calling him “awful” after a pair of poor outings. The feedback came following the team’s loss to the Denver Nuggets on March 5, where LaRavia played just 10 minutes, shot 1-of-6 from the field and 0-of-3 from beyond the arc, and finished with a minus-16 rating. The previous game, a Lakers win over the New Orleans Pelicans, saw LaRavia contribute five points in 14 minutes. Redick admitted the struggles were so evident he felt compelled to address them directly with LaRavia. “After the Denver game and the one before that, which feels like a lifetime ago, I told him he was awful,” Redick said. “He played terribly in both games, on both ends, and he’s responded like he always does throughout the season.” While LaRavia’s shooting has dipped significantly since returning from the All-Star break—averaging 5.8 points on 38.7% shooting and 25.0% from three-point range—Redick highlighted his defensive contributions and role as a reliable bench player. LaRavia’s struggles with his shot have been a recurring issue since being moved back to the bench following the All-Star break. His efficiency has dropped from 9.5 points on 46.5% shooting and 32.6% three-point shooting earlier in the season to his current numbers. However, Redick emphasized that LaRavia’s impact on the floor has remained positive, particularly in areas like rebounding, physicality, and defensive effort. “Coming back from the All-Star break, he’s been exemplary in his role,” Redick said. “The things we’re asking him to do, he’s doing them at a high level. He’s played great, and we have a lot of confidence in him when he gets open catch-and-shoot threes, in transition, and on closeouts.#los_angeles_lakers #jj_redick #denver_nuggets #new_orleans_pelicans #jake_laravia
