Struggling to find his rhythm, Dalton Knecht's performance during the California Classic has raised concerns among Lakers fans and analysts. On Sunday, the Lakers succumbed to the Golden State Warriors with a score of 92-68, and Knecht's shooting woes were a significant factor. In his 22 minutes of play, Knecht managed to score only 12 points on an inefficient 3-of-13 shooting. This followed a similarly disappointing performance on Saturday, where he finished 3-of-12 from the floor.
Knecht, who was a standout player in his final collegiate season at Tennessee, averaging 21.7 points per game, has struggled to replicate his form in the summer league. Through his first two games, Knecht is 2-of-15 on jump shots, a mere 13.3% accuracy, a far cry from his 42.3% success rate on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers in college, as reported by Synergy Sports. His ability to get to the free-throw line, with 14 attempts in the two games, and converting 4-of-8 shots at the rim, shows some promise. Yet, for a player who was once a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the draft, these struggles are concerning.
Despite these setbacks, Lakers’ summer league coach Dane Johnson remains optimistic about Knecht's prospects. "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. This reassurance from the coach indicates a belief that Knecht's current performance is more of a temporary slump than a sign of things to come.
Knecht himself acknowledges the challenge of finding his rhythm after a prolonged break from competitive play, having not played since March. "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 stated. His resolve to keep shooting despite the current struggles showcases a confidence that could pay dividends as he adjusts to the new level of competition.
The Lakers have one more game left in the California Classic, facing off against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. This will provide Knecht another opportunity to prove himself and potentially find his shooting touch. As the summer league progresses, the focus will be on whether Knecht can turn his shooting woes around and capitalize on the flashes of potential seen by his coach.
Knecht's journey through these early struggles could serve as a testament to the challenging transition from collegiate success to professional expectations. While his current shooting percentages are not what fans or analysts hoped for, the patience and confidence shown by both Knecht and his coach suggest there is reason to believe he can overcome this rough patch.
In a league where shooting efficiency is often the difference between success and mediocrity, Knecht's ability to rediscover his form will be critical. If he can harness the talent that made him a sought-after prospect, the Lakers could have a valuable asset on their hands. For now, all eyes will be on Wednesday's matchup against the Heat, where Knecht will look to find his rhythm and silence the doubters.