Tim Hardaway credits Lakers’ Luka Doncic blueprint: ‘They’re doing exactly what they need to do’

Tim Hardaway sees a plan behind the Lakers’ offseason overhaul. Through an 11-2 start, he also sees it working.

The Hall of Fame point guard credited the Lakers for surrounding Luka Doncic with players whose responsibilities complement his game, borrowing from the approach that helped Doncic reach the Finals with the Mavericks.

“I like how they put this team together,” Hardaway said on the Crossover Podcast, via Jan Rey T. Obguia of Basketball Network. “They put this team together for Luka, to understand that, look, we got to be like Dallas and how Dallas did it with a lob threat, a guy who’s going to rebound.”

Walker Kessler gives Doncic a target around the basket. Add perimeter defenders, players willing to move without the ball and Austin Reaves’ ability to create, and the Lakers have several ways to capitalize on the attention Doncic draws.

Hardaway emphasized that the arrangement requires a commitment at the other end.

“Everybody got to play defense. Everybody got to buy in defense,” he said.

That remains a work in progress. The Lakers have struggled with defensive rebounding and giving up second chances, and their backup center options remain a question. Winning early doesn’t eliminate those concerns.

It does give JJ Redick evidence that the roster can function around its best player.

“Like I said, they put a team together, and kudos to the Los Angeles Lakers,” Hardaway said. “They put a team together conducive for Luka, and they’re playing the way they’re supposed to play. They’re doing exactly what they need to do to win games.”

As we recently explored, the Doncic-Reaves partnership has already prompted a rival executive to reconsider expectations.

Hardaway’s praise extends to the supporting cast. Doncic can create an advantage on almost any possession. The Lakers’ job was to find players who could help turn those advantages into wins.

So far, they’ve given him plenty to work with.

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