In the world of basketball, it's all about timing and chemistry, and for the Lakers, Marcus Smart is confident that the best is yet to come. During practice on Monday, Smart shared an optimistic outlook, highlighting the potential that lies within the team despite recent struggles.
Smart acknowledges the Lakers' talent pool and believes that with time, they'll hit their stride. "We're good.
Marcus Smart on how good he thinks the Lakers are and how close the group is to being its best version: "We're good. The talent is there, we've got the pieces. It’s just making them mesh. We haven't been healthy, which is a big part when you're trying to get pieces to mesh." pic.twitter.com/2xlR7CE262
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) February 23, 2026
The talent is there, we've got the pieces," Smart said. The key, according to him, is getting these pieces to mesh, something that's been challenging due to injuries.
JJ Redick's response when asked about the Lakers' ball movement, and whether the lack of it makes them more predictable for defenses:
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) February 23, 2026
"When teams play the deep drop, we have our counters and we just got to [execute]...I took ownership of that. We have our counters for deep… pic.twitter.com/wwfRZ1OAXl
The constant shuffle in lineups has been a hurdle, but Smart sees it as an opportunity for growth, allowing players to adapt to different roles and situations.
While the Lakers recently stumbled with a season-low 89 points in a tough loss to the Celtics, head coach JJ Redick didn't shy away from responsibility. Redick admitted that the team struggled to find their offensive rhythm, particularly against Boston's elite defense. He emphasized the need for better execution when facing a deep drop defense, which has been a consistent challenge for the Lakers.
Redick is focused on setting up his team to counteract these defensive strategies effectively. "When teams play the deep drop, we have our counters, and we just got to execute," Redick stated. He took ownership of the shortcomings and is determined to improve the team's performance in these scenarios.
As the Lakers prepare to host the Magic on Tuesday, the focus remains on finding that elusive chemistry and executing their game plan with precision. With Smart's confidence and Redick's commitment to improvement, the Lakers are poised to turn things around and make a strong push as the season progresses.