Although Luke Kennard was everything and more during the nearly three seasons he spent as an LA Clipper, one thing they knew about him was that he was not a viable third option on a championship contender. He can start a game and go on an unconscious heat check, but to expect it on a nightly basis is a mistake, and the Los Angeles Lakers are currently learning it.
In fact, JJ Redick trusted Kennard’s hot streak to continue following games one and two, and the veteran wing responded with a combined 22 points and six turnovers, shooting 7-24 from the field and 1-11 from the three-point line, in the three contests since.
These numbers are atrocious, and they show that Kennard is a role player, point-blank, period; nothing more, even if Lakers fans hoped he would be.
The Lakers are going to crumble all the way if they keep trusting Kennard
JJ Redick’s primary adjustment for game six at the Houston Rockets needs to be to use Luke Kennard specifically as a spot-up shooter. If there is an open lane to attempt a mid-range or drive to the cup, it should obviously be taken, but he should not be the lead ball-handler trying to facilitate while creating for himself.
The Rockets quickly picked up on the new role the Lakers had Kennard in, which he wasn't used to, and, in the end, the Duke legend got exposed on the biggest stage in the NBA.
Additionally, it doesn’t help at all that Kennard is one of the Lakers’ worst defenders in their postseason rotation. He’s posted the third-worst defensive rating on the team (among players who’ve been fully available, playing 10 or more minutes), and after seeing this measure, fans of the LA Clippers cannot be surprised.
Moving forward, in the event nothing changes, and Kennard remains doing what he has been, and no one else outside of LeBron James and Marcus Smart steps up, just go ahead and expect the Lakers to give up the first 0-3 postseason lead in league history.
It’ll be an embarrassing sight for the entire Lakers’ organization and fanbase, yet that's inevitable when Redick is having a player who’s best strictly as a shooter stepping out of his comfort zone trying to deliver the city of Los Angeles playoff wins.
Just because it worked twice and certainly caught the Rockets off guard doesn’t mean the same outcome will take place.
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