EL SEGUNDO — The Minnesota Timberwolves using 37-year-old Joe Ingles on their scout team to play the role of Lakers star Luka Doncic in preparation for Saturday’s playoff opener was far from just Internet fodder.
“It’s hard to replicate everything [Doncic] does,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said after his team’s practice on Tuesday. “We have Joe Ingles kind of simulating things, who gives us a comp on size and IQ for sure, but it’s certainly tough. And then you got to try to simulate LeBron [James] and other guys around.”
But the Timberwolves also aren’t alone in using players who aren’t expected to be in the team’s rotation on their scout team for playoff preparations – a game planning strategy that’s a lot less common during the 82-game regular-season marathon.
The Lakers also have their own scout team, with rookie guard Bronny James and veteran guard Shake Milton simulating Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards during the team’s practice on Wednesday, the second session ahead of Game 1 of their best-of-seven first-round series on Saturday night.
As someone who spent the earlier parts of his playing career being used on a scout team, Lakers coach JJ Redick sees the value in them – from both a fun perspective but also the necessity.
“I don’t know, because it’s not part of NBA culture anymore to do a scout team,” Redick said after Wednesday’s practice. “When I was early in my career and not playing, I was on the scout team every single game in the regular season. So I always relish the chance to be [Manu] Ginobili or [Dwyane Wade] or J.R. Smith. I could take all the shots.
“But it’s very uncommon [for] you [to] do that during the regular season. So I don’t even know if these guys are used to that, but something we’ll implement again [on Thursday] as well.”
It’s easy to see why Edwards, the All-NBA guard who averaged career highs in points (27.3) and 3-point percentage (39.5%) this season, is a priority on the Lakers’ scouting report.
His 320 3-point field goals led the NBA this season, including a league-leading 230 pull-up 3s, shooting 38.5% off-the-dribble from behind the arc.
Edwards remains one of the league’s most dynamic players with his ability to punish teams with his outside shooting and his ability to get to the rim.
“He’s being so aggressive, especially on 3-pointers,” Lakers forward Rui Hachimura said after Wednesday’s practice. “He was No. 1 this year and he’s going to be so aggressive with that. But also he can drive, he can put it on the rim and everything. So we got to, as a team, we got to focus on him, of course. We just got to guard him as a team. A whole team.”
The Lakers’ strategy of showing Edwards multiple bodies defensively is something they did well with during the teams’ regular-season matchups.
Edwards averaged 19 points on 40% shooting (32.3% from 3-point range) to go with 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists but also 3.0 turnovers in four games against the Lakers this season.
“I’ve seen enough over the last, two, three months, either in the last few days or just from watching games. He’s become a very willing passer,” Redick said. “The makeup of their team, allows him to just get off the ball because they can hurt you in so many ways. When you do put two on the ball with him, eventually, they’re gonna go back to single coverage. That’s what makes their team so dangerous.”
SERIES SCHEDULE
(Best-of-seven, all times PT)
Game 1: Saturday, at L.A., 5:30 p.m. (ABC/Ch. 7)
Game 2: Tuesday, at L.A., 7 p.m. (TNT/SSN)
Game 3: Fri., April 25, at Minnesota, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN/SSN)
Game 4: Sun., April 27 at Minnesota, 12:30 p.m. (ABC/Ch. 7)
*Game 5: Wed., April 30, at L.A., time TBD (TV TBD)
*Game 6: Fri., May 2 at Minnesota, time TBD (TV TBD)
*Game 7: Sun., May 4 at L.A., time TBD (TV TBD)
* – If necessary