First year of Gabe Vincent with the Los Angeles Lakers was anything but easy. Following a knee injury in December 2023, Vincent was absent for 46 games. Even though he came back for the playoffs, he now acknowledges that it was premature. Vincent pondered, “I didn’t feel like myself.” He experienced a decline in his performances and had difficulty meeting expectations. In spite of these obstacles, Vincent is enthusiastic about getting back to peak performance in the next season.
A Tough Playoff Run
Vincent’s return didn’t unfold as expected. During the playoffs, his performance was subpar with an average of only 1.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists as he had difficulty finding his groove. The Lakers might have benefited more if Vincent had taken extra time to fully recover, given the tough competition. However, despite trade rumors, the franchise supported him and gave him another opportunity.
JJ Redick’s Confidence in Vincent
JJ Redick, the new coach of the Lakers, has complete faith in Vincent’s capability to recover. Redick, in his debut season as head coach, commended Vincent for his professionalism and work ethic, expressing his desire for 10 players like him. Redick trusts in Vincent’s assertive mindset and intends to maximize his abilities by empowering him to shoot without restrictions and perform with self-assurance.
Looking Ahead to the 2024-25 Season
Having been given a clean bill of health, Gabe Vincent is prepared to leave his injury struggles in the past. Redick’s plan and confidence in Vincent’s skills provide optimism for a more positive upcoming season. What is he aiming for? To demonstrate his value and greatly contribute to the Lakers in the upcoming 2024-25 season, proving he is not a liability.
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