Reddick's plan to give Davis a larger role has led to a 2-0 start for the Lakers

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — When JJ Redick was hired as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, he said one of his first goals was to make Anthony Davis the offensive focal point.

Two games into Redick's tenure, everything is going according to plan.

With 35 points Friday night in a 123-116 win over the Phoenix Suns, Davis joined Jerry West and Elgin Baylor as the only Lakers to score at least 35 points in the first two games of a season.

“Guys are having great success. We’re making the right plays,” said Davis, who also had eight rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots. “Honestly, the schematic that JJ created helped me and helps everyone. We just have so much space and we enjoy it.”

Last season there was only one stretch in which Davis had back-to-back games with 35 points. He had 36 points and 16 rebounds in the Lakers' 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

Friday's game had more drama.

The Lakers fell behind by 22 points in the second quarter as Phoenix hit 21 of its first 30 shots. However, Los Angeles made adjustments on defense and closed the deficit to 61-52 at halftime before rallying in the second half to get off to its first 2-0 start in 14 years.

Reddick said one of the reasons the Lakers were able to recover was Davis' patience despite the early deficit.

“He has a level of comfort and confidence that if the game gets crazy, he knows the ball will come back to him,” Reddick said.

In a game that also represented an early test for first-time coach Reddick and his team, Davis was impressed with how Reddick handled the early adversity.

“At 22, we have to use trust and coaching,” Davis said. “JJ comes into the huddle and tells us to calm down because we know what we're doing wrong when we lose the ball and make changes.” Of course, the fact that he doesn't panic also ensures that we don't panic. We trust what he does and the plans he executes on both ends of the floor.”

Reddick is the first Lakers coach since Phil Jackson in 1999 to win his first two games.

Davis' increased role has helped ease some of the pressure on LeBron James while further improving Austin Reaves' game.

James started 2 of 6 from the field but had 11 points in the third quarter and finished with 21.

“It’s our job to go and make it happen. We have to earn their trust. “We have to execute and become more and more focused,” said James. “It is very important that he (Davis) is the focus for us. Offensively, we need to find him in multiple spots on the field throughout the game.” And we did that in two games.”

Reaves, who received a text message from Reddick at 6 a.m. saying he could have a big game, had 26 points, including five 3-pointers.

“As a player-coach, he knows the rhythm of the game,” Reaves said of Reddick. “I think the staff has a very high IQ and sees the game with the mindset of a player.”

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