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Luke Kennard compares playing high school QB to current Lakers role
TL;DR
Luke Kennard has excelled in the NBA, helping the Lakers to a 2-0 playoff lead over the Rockets. He draws parallels between his current role and his past as a high school quarterback, emphasizing communication and decision-making.
Key points
- Luke Kennard scored 50 points in the first two playoff games.
- He played quarterback in high school, throwing for 2,331 yards and 26 touchdowns.
- Kennard compares his current role to playing quarterback in terms of communication and decision-making.
Mentioned in this story
Luke KennardLuka DoncicAustin Reaves
Los Angeles LakersHouston Rockets
Luke Kennard has made a nice living for himself in the NBA, and he's a major reason the Los Angeles Lakers took a 2-0 series lead over the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. He scored 50 points in the first two games combined, and he has done a fantastic job of picking up the offensive slack with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injured.
But there was a time when Kennard was also a star on the gridiron. While he was on the way to surpassing LeBron James to finish second in career scoring in Ohio high school history, he was also a standout quarterback at Franklin High School. In 2013, his junior year of high school, he threw for 2,331 yards and 26 touchdowns while adding four more touchdowns on the ground.
With Doncic and Reaves out of action, Kennard has been asked to take on ball-handling and facilitating duties, a role that doesn't seem to be natural for him. But he said that there are some similarities between that role and playing the quarterback position.
āObviously communication. The word organized just comes to mind. Trying to get guys in the right spot and then just making reads out of certain situations. ... You can compare it a little bit. Thereās a lot of options. Quick reads. ā¦ Vision. trying to make the right passes and right plays.ā
James, of course, was also a star football player in high school as a wide receiver, and many feel he could've done very well in the NFL as either a wideout or tight end had he chosen football over basketball. Kennard said that he, James and backup center Jaxson Hayes would've been "a lethal trio" in football.
Reaves is listed as questionable for Game 3, so it looks like he's on the verge of returning from his oblique strain, which means that Kennard could soon be heading back to the bench. But in seven consecutive starts, and even before that, he has proven that he's much more than just a 3-point specialist.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Luke Kennard compares playing high school QB to current Lakers role
Q&A
How many points did Luke Kennard score in the first two playoff games?
Luke Kennard scored a total of 50 points in the first two playoff games against the Houston Rockets.
What were Luke Kennard's high school quarterback stats?
In his junior year, Luke Kennard threw for 2,331 yards and 26 touchdowns while also scoring four rushing touchdowns.
What similarities does Kennard see between basketball and playing quarterback?
Kennard notes that both roles require strong communication, organization, and the ability to make quick reads and decisions.