Dalton Knecht Ready for All-Star Showdown with LeBron James
A Whirlwind Rookie Season
Dalton Knecht has had a whirlwind rookie season. He showed out in front of his idol, Kevin Durant, electrified a home crowd with 37 points and was traded by the Lakers and then sent back.
A Spot in the All-Star Game
Friday, he made a live appearance on Greek television and secured a spot in his first All-Star Game.
Playing with the Best
With his team winning the Rising Stars Game, Knecht will play Sunday against a squad that includes his superstar Lakers teammate LeBron James, Durant, and Stephen Curry.
Going Up Against the All-Stars
“Going against all the All-Stars, you know, it’s gonna be fun,” Knecht said. “I watched a lot of it growing up as a kid. Now I’m a part of it.”
Lessons Learned from the First Half-Season
As Knecht got his first taste of All-Star Weekend, the sting from being dealt (and then returned) was starting to dissolve. He played for the first time since the botched trade Wednesday in Utah before representing the Lakers in San Francisco.
Clearing His Head
“Going back to the gym and shooting, you know, clears out my head. Just getting shots up,” Knecht told The Times.
A Newfound Confidence
He looked at ease Friday playing alongside most valuable player Stephon Castle, who finished with 12 points and three rebounds in the championship game.
A Strong Start to the Weekend
In the first of two games in which the first team to 40 won, Knecht scored seven points, opening the action at Chase Center with the first basket of the weekend — a three.
Talking Trash with James
In the final against a team made up of G-League representatives, Knecht scored five points, the points coming late as his team pulled away, setting up the opportunity to talk trash with James.
“I usually don’t start it. I usually don’t start talking. I usually try to finish it,” Knecht said. “So, you know, we’ll see.”
A Star in the Making
Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht celebrates after making a three-pointer during the NBA All-Star Rising Stars Game on Friday.
A Future in Question
Knecht’s return to the Lakers comes with his future in question. The Lakers, once so happy that Knecht fell to them at No. 17 on draft night that they eschewed their plans to take Orlando wing Tristan Da Silva or Baylor center Yves Missi, decided to move on from him in pursuit of Charlotte center Mark Williams despite Knecht playing rotation minutes all season.
The Future of the Lakers
There have been growing pains, a prolonged shooting slump and a handful of viral clips showing an upset Lakers bench after Knecht messed up a play. Questions about his defense made the Lakers willing to move him before the deal was rescinded. This summer they will be shopping for centers in free agency and via trade, and Knecht could once again be one of their best assets.
A Newfound Perspective
Knecht just wants to play, armed with the lessons learned from the first half-season of his career that’s already included some wild opportunities — an All-Star appearance being the latest.
“At the end of the day, I’ve realized like really early that it’s a business. And one day you can be with the Lakers, and one day you can be on another team,” Knecht said. “So at the end of the day, it’s kind of quick. You can’t take the moment for granted. You gotta just enjoy every single time.”
Conclusion
Dalton Knecht’s whirlwind rookie season has taken him from a trade and a return to the Lakers to a spot in the All-Star Game. With his future in question, Knecht is focused on enjoying the moment and playing his best basketball.
FAQs
* What is Dalton Knecht’s position in the NBA?
+ He is a center.
* What is his current team?
+ The Los Angeles Lakers.
* How did he get traded?
+ He was traded by the Lakers and then sent back.
* What is his current stat line for the season?
+ Not specified.
* What is his favorite Mexican restaurant?
+ Not specified.
* Does he want to compete in the dunk contest or three-point contest?
+ He wants to do both.
