Player Grades: Lakers vs. Pistons

One trait JJ Redick teams will have is that they play hard.

Redick had a revelation of sorts early in his coaching career that just trying hard was enough to mask over flaws on most nights in the regular season. From that point on, the Lakers have, for the most part, tried hard.

With previous rosters, playing hard looked different because of a lack of energy or athleticism across the board. On a younger, more athletic, more tenacious team like this, playing hard looks like a team without their superstar jumping all over the Pistons on the road in the first quarter.

It’s quite the encouraging trait to have.

So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player.…