Jake LaRavia says Lakers aim to improve by one percent each day
jake-laravia-says-lakers-aim-to-improve-by-one-percent-each-day
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia said the team is concentrating on incremental progress during the preseason, stressing a goal of becoming “1% better each day.”
After appearing in both of the club’s first two exhibition games—losses to the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors—the 23-year-old newcomer explained the message delivered by first-year head coach JJ Redick.
“We’re really still just focused on us right now, focused on getting better every day,” LaRavia told Spectrum SportsNet. “JJ mentioned this term called kaizen, and it’s just getting 1% better each day and that goes along with just winning the day.”
Preseason workload
Redick rested most regulars, including LeBron James and Luka Doncic, in both contests. LaRavia logged heavy minutes off the bench as the coaching staff tested rotations and evaluated chemistry.
“There were a couple of spurts during the game where they made a lot of shots; we didn’t get a lot of stops,” he said. “But for the most part I thought we competed, played physical.”
New role in Los Angeles
LaRavia joined the Lakers on a two-year free-agent deal after spending last season with the Sacramento Kings. He is expected to anchor the second unit once the regular season begins.
Praise for Vanderbilt’s shooting
The former first-round pick also spotlighted forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who knocked down his first three-pointer of the preseason against Golden State. LaRavia credited Vanderbilt for noticeable improvement in his shooting form during training camp.
The Lakers continue preseason play later this week as they refine schemes and look to transform incremental gains into victories once the games count.
Source: LakersNation.com
