Dalton Knecht's Challenges at the California Classic
Dalton Knecht is finding it tough to regain his form during the California Classic, as the promising talent struggles to deliver consistent performances for the Los Angeles Lakers' summer league squad. Despite his impressive collegiate record at Tennessee, Knecht’s transition to the professional stage has been less than seamless.
During Sunday’s matchup, the Lakers endured a crushing 92-68 defeat at the hands of the Golden State Warriors. Knecht, who played a notable 22 minutes, managed to score just 12 points, shooting a disappointing 3-of-13 from the field. This underwhelming performance followed a similarly challenging outing the previous day where he finished 3-of-12.
Knecht’s shooting difficulties are particularly evident from beyond the arc. Across the first two summer league games, he is just 2-of-15 on jump shots, equating to a concerning 13.3% accuracy rate. Shooting woes aside, Knecht showed some aggression by getting to the free-throw line 14 times, converting four of his eight attempts at the rim. However, these flashes of assertiveness have not been enough to elevate his overall performance.
In a stark contrast, Knecht’s final year in college saw him average a robust 21.7 points per game, with a noteworthy 42.3% success rate on catch-and-shoot three-pointers, as per Synergy Sports. His collegiate success had many projecting him as a consensus top-10 pick in the draft, but he found himself sliding out of the lottery on draft night. The discrepancy between his college consistency and early professional struggles has been puzzling for many observers.
In response to Knecht’s challenges, Lakers’ summer league coach Dane Johnson expressed confidence in the young player. "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 stated, highlighting his belief in Knecht’s potential and composure.
Knecht himself acknowledged the difficulties he’s faced, attributing them to his extended time away from competitive play. "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 reflected, emphasizing a persistent and optimistic mindset as he works through his obstacles.
The Lakers have one more shot to turn things around in the California Classic as they face the Miami Heat on Wednesday. For Knecht, this game presents another opportunity to showcase his potential and fine-tune his play against formidable opponents. With the support of his coaches and his inherent talent, the burgeoning star remains a critical player to watch.