Despite a 3-point loss to the East leading Pistons that ended their 9-game win streak, the Lakers again showcasing their newfound championship culture by almost pulling off a stunning 16-point second half comeback.
Before the season, JJ Redick’s challenged every player on the Los Angeles Lakers to build a championship team culture by personally developing championship caliber conditioning, communication, and game habits. Looks like JJ Redick and his players walked the talk. After their first 58 games, the Lakers had #11 offense, #24 defense, and #19 net rating. Over the last 14 games, they had the #4 offense, #10 defense, and #5 net rating.
The Lakers are 14–4 in their last 14 games including 6–2 against top-10 teams like the Knicks, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Rockets (twice), and Heat with their only 4 losses coming from a combined total of just 14 points.
The championship habits that won the Lakers the West #3 seed were more assists, 3-point attempts, and 3-point makes and fewer turnovers on offense and more turnovers and fewer 3-point attempts, 3-point makes on defense.
Unlike their first game vs. the Pistons with Cade Cunningham back in December when the Lakers gave up after falling behind by double digits, the Lakers rallied multiple times this time to tie the game or take a lead.
The difference this time was the championship culture Redick has been able to instill in the Lakers, especially the championship habits of always playing hard, never giving up, and dominating ‘clutch’ time minutes.
The Lakers’ championship culture has transformed from a play-in team desperately hanging onto the #6 seed in the West to the presumed #3 seed in West and dangerous team no NBA team wants to meet in the playoffs.
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