Dalton Knecht Struggles to Find Rhythm in California Classic
Dalton Knecht, once a prolific scorer at Tennessee, is finding the transition to the professional level challenging during the California Classic. The 6-foot-6 guard's shooting woes have been evident as the Lakers faced off against the Golden State Warriors, falling 92-68 on Sunday.
In his 22 minutes of play against the Warriors, Knecht managed to score just 12 points on 3-of-13 shooting. The previous day was no better, as he finished 3-of-12 from the floor. Through his first two summer league games, Knecht is struggling with his jumper, going an abysmal 2-of-15, translating to a mere 13.3% accuracy.
Despite his struggles from the field, Knecht has managed to get to the free-throw line 14 times over these two games, showing some of the tenacity he was known for in college. His ability to finish at the rim has also been a silver lining, converting 4-of-8 shots in the paint. However, the transition from college star, where he averaged 21.7 points per game, to summer league hopeful has not been seamless.
Reflecting on his difficult start, Knecht expressed a determination to regain his touch. "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 said, exuding a blend of humility and optimism.
The Lakers’ summer league coach, Dane Johnson, echoed a sentiment of patience and belief in Knecht's abilities. "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 noted.
Knecht's struggles are surprising, especially given his collegiate numbers. At Tennessee, he was a sharpshooter, hitting 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers according to Synergy Sports. This prowess had many projecting him as a consensus top-10 pick before he slid out of the lottery on draft night.
For Knecht, the key now is to translate the skills that made him a standout in college to the professional stage. He has one more game left in the California Classic, where the Lakers will face the Miami Heat on Wednesday, an opportunity for him to showcase the talent that had scouts buzzing not too long ago. With the guidance from his coach and self-assurance from his personal mantra that "shooters shoot," there's hope that Knecht will find his rhythm and reaffirm the faith placed in him.
Ultimately, summer league is a learning curve, and early struggles are not uncommon. The NBA has seen many players go through similar rough patches only to blossom later. As the Lakers and their fans keep a close watch, the focus will remain on Knecht's development, both in scoring and in adapting to the pace and physicality of the league.
It's a journey lined with challenges, but if Knecht's words and his coach's faith are any indication, it's also one filled with promise.