The Lakers continue to rely on a strong, team-building bond

atlanta — JJ Reddick was already preaching a kind of Japanese philosophy, referring to his team about the idea of ​​”kaizen” to improve every day. Off the court, the head coach found inspiration in another Japanese phrase.

Lakers players and coaches have used pecha kucha presentations to facilitate team bonding this season. Slideshows, which comes from the Japanese word for chichit, could be a secret to the team’s hot start as the Lakers (7-2) have won five straight games entering a five-game road trip that begins Saturday against the Hawks in Atlanta at 5 p.m. PST.

The Lakers have put together one of the NBA’s most effective offenses despite injuries to LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic in and out of the lineup, relying on a strong team bond that grows faster through an even faster form of communication.

PechaKucha presentations are traditionally 20 slides, each with a picture. The speaker has 20 seconds to explain each slide for a total presentation time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

The Lakers version has five slides: Where are you from; Best basketball memory; person, event or thing that has affected your life; Your non-basketball happy place; and vendor selection.

“A lot of times the most interaction you’ll have with your teammates is on the basketball court,” forward Jack Laravia said. “So it’s good to either learn some things about them outside of basketball, like hobbies and things like where they’re coming from. And that just helps you know who’s a little bit better.”

Assistant coach Scott Brooks began his presentation with a picture of a walnut, symbolizing the walnut farm he worked on weekends to help make ends meet for his family. Laravia showed a photo of him driving as the origin of his basketball journey. Donic talked about how his daughter Gabriela changed his life.

A coach and a player are present, and then they each choose the next coach or player to go. With about half the players and coaches remaining, Reddick said he already plans to have the holdouts actively plan their presentations before their nominations.

“We’re just constantly pushing and empowering our guys to connect,” Reddick said. “I believe if you’re connected off the floor, you’re connected on the floor. You need that. I’m not trying to take credit for my staff here. It’s the guys on the team, they’re bought into it.”

Donic, for one, is not for sale. He died not thinking that exercise helped.

Just the fact that Donic made a joke means it works.

Built after a tough trade last season, the 26-year-old’s personality shines through among his teammates. He is a sardonic prankster who shows affection to his teammates by passing them through a pinhole-sized gap in the defense and then talking to them immediately afterward.

Lakers coach JJ Redick, with injured forward LeBron James by his side, questions guard Marcus Smart on the phone during Wednesday’s game against the Spurs.

(Allen J. Shebin/Los Angeles Times)

Doncic’s funny antics, if not He tries to sit on Austin Reeves’ lap Sidestepping or swishing halfcourt shots in competition with Reaves, Maxie Kleber and staff members, showing how connected the superstar is to the team.

“Honestly, the feeling is that I enjoy playing with these guys,” Donic said. “AR [Reaves] Can’t play. We’re still missing LeBron. So this team has great potential. But everybody who steps on the court gives the maximum, man, everybody. So it’s fun to play.”

The Reeves are available on the road trip but will miss their third straight game on Saturday. The Lakers ruled him out after practice on Friday because his right groin strain developed after what was previously classified simply as a soreness.

James did not travel to Atlanta. He resumed on-court basketball activities this week after missing four weeks due to sciatica in his right side. He played one-on-one with the coaches, Reddick said. A stint with the South Bay Lakers is on the table, but no decision has been made.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer has yet to play a single minute for the Lakers. Reaves, averaging 31.1 points and 9.3 assists, has missed the last two wins, and Donic has played in only half the games. But the Lakers still rank fifth in the NBA in offensive rating.

“It shows how professional we are,” guard Marcus Smart said of the team’s chemistry, despite constantly changing personnel. “I think a lot of people, especially people who aren’t in a fraternity, they forget that you make a relationship with guys, and then one guy, or a couple of guys, deal with you and you have to rebuild each other. You don’t know how hard it is, how much it takes a toll.”

As Smart spoke, Donick appeared behind the group of reporters, loudly emphasizing. Donic then made sure to keep the record that he would beat Smart in a team building match that night. The two laughed as they walked away.