L.D. tells J.J. to keep shooting

With J.J. struggling to make shots, L.D. is doing probably the only thing he realistically can do under the circumstances.

(By “circumstances” I mean his lead dog, the $124 million man, is the one who’s clanking shots and so Drew’s options are limited within the franchise/team/star dynamic.)

“I told him to keep doing what he’s been doing,” L.D. said. “Keep looking for his shot. Keep taking his shot. I don’t want any hesitation.”

I’m still thinking J.J.’s issues are all about the elbow. I think this because J.J., in a rare revealing moment about the injury, said it’s still affecting his shot.

“Only he knows,” Drew said. “If that’s the case then it will be just a matter of time before that thing is to where he is not feeling any type of discomfort where it’s 100 percent and hopefully his stroke will come back to what we are accustomed to.”

J.J. doesn’t have a great history with managing his own injuries. He basically doesn’t tell anyone the extent of them until they are too bad to ignore. Considering that, it might have been a good idea for someone to tell J.J. to take a couple weeks longer to return after the surgery. J.J.’s toughness is not in question but his wisdom with such matters is questionable.

“He’s getting great looks,” L.D. said. “I will take my chances every single night with him. If I can continue to get him the shots I got him against Oklahoma City, I will take my chances with that because he had some really good looks. They just didn’t go down.”