Dalton Knecht's Rocky Start in the California Classic
Dalton Knecht has found himself struggling to find his rhythm during the California Classic, a crucial time for many young players to showcase their potential to NBA teams. The Los Angeles Lakers' prospect has had a tough go of it so far, highlighted by the team's 92-68 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.
Knecht, who played 22 minutes in that game, managed to score 12 points but did so on a rough 3-of-13 shooting performance. This follows an equally challenging game on Saturday, where he went 3-of-12 from the floor. Across these first two summer league games, Knecht is a painful 2-of-15 on jumpers, marking a mere 13.3% accuracy.
Bright Spots and Struggles
While his jumper has eluded him, Knecht has shown flashes of his scoring ability in other areas. He’s been aggressive enough to get to the free-throw line 14 times over the course of those two games, and he's finished 4-of-8 shots at the rim. Despite the frustrations, this ability to draw fouls and convert close-range opportunities indicates he’s still finding ways to contribute offensively.
It's a stark contrast to Knecht’s time at Tennessee, where he wrapped up his final collegiate season averaging 21.7 points per game. Notably, Knecht was a lethal shooter in college, hitting an impressive 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers according to Synergy Sports. He was projected as a consensus top-10 pick ahead of the draft but slid out of the lottery on draft night, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his summer league performance.
Patience and Encouragement
Despite the early shooting woes, Lakers’ summer league coach Dane Johnson remains optimistic about Knecht’s 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.
For Knecht, the challenge is about regaining the form that made him such a sought-after prospect in college. "I haven't played since March. Just finding my rhythm again and keep playing with these new guys and keep adjusting," Knecht explained. "Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot."
The Road Ahead
With one more game left in the California Classic, a Wednesday showdown against the Miami Heat, Knecht has another opportunity to showcase his skills and potentially turn things around. His perseverance and confidence are evident, and his journey through these early struggles could well define his summer league experience.
As Knecht continues to adapt to the speed and physicality of the game at this level, his flashes of brilliance from his collegiate days suggest that he has the capability to adjust. For now, patience, both from the player and the organization, will be key in navigating these early challenges.
In the world of professional sports, especially in the high-stakes atmosphere of summer league play, developing players often have their ups and downs. For Dalton Knecht, the road may be bumpy at the moment, but the potential for breakthroughs remains on the horizon.