The Lakers lose to the Timberwolves in the opening game of the preseason

Last April, nearly 30 minutes into a conversation with reigning NCAA champion coach Dan Hurley, then-podcaster/broadcaster JJ Redick asked Hurley about a particular offensive play by the Huskies.

By cornering a big man who isn't shooting and throwing him a cross-court skip pass, the opposing center is forced off the field to guard the opposing center, allowing pass, cut and drive -Lane emerge.

“Where…did you steal that piece?” Redick asked Hurley on his podcast.

On Friday, in his first game as the Lakers' new head coach, Redick opened the game by stealing the set from Hurley. And although the move gave Rui Hachimura an open three-pointer, it didn't lead to any points.

Whether it was a piece of inspiration or a nice nod to offseason planning that only saw Redick become head coach of the Lakers after Hurley turned her down is unknown. What is clear, however, is that Redick worked hard to get results during the first week of Lakers basketball, instead encouraging his team and himself to invest themselves in the process.

Luckily for the Lakers, the results don't count right now.

Read more: D'Angelo Russell isn't kidding when he talks about JJ Redick's “high IQ.”

Despite some good moments from some young players, the Lakers' season opener and Redick's tenure got off to a rocky start, with Minnesota dominating in a 124-107 win over the Timberwolves on Friday night at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert.

With LeBron James and Anthony Davis winning the game and Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle playing for Minnesota, there were plenty of opportunities for role players to excel.

For the Lakers, that meant rookie Dalton Knecht and third-year guard Max Christie showed they could be part of Redick's rotation.

Knecht made seven of 13 shots and finished the game with 16 points, tied with Austin Reaves for the team high. Christie scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Rookie Bronny James, playing for the first time in his NBA career, scored his only points on a driving left-handed layup late in the fourth quarter when the Lakers trailed by 20 points. The crowd went wild. He also had three blocked shots.

James is not expected to be on the Lakers' daily schedule this season, but who and how Redick will use off the bench is still being calculated.

“I’ll be honest, we preach organization and we preach structure,” Redick said before the game. “Obviously we give the guys freedom within that structure, but I have to trust you to know what the hell is going on on both ends of the floor.”

Read more: Lakers Newsletter: Max Christie tops the list of young Lakers to watch in the preseason

It used to look like no one did that.

The Lakers trailed by as many as 20 points in the first half, with Minnesota's starters playing just one shift in the first quarter.

But led by Christie and Knecht, the Lakers fought their way back into the game early in the fourth before Minnesota pulled away.

The Lakers, who have vowed to shoot more threes under Redick, shot 10 for 32 from distance.

The Lakers play again on Sunday, this time hosting Phoenix at Acrisure Arena.

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.