When the Los Angeles Lakers selected Dalton Knecht as the 17th pick in the NBA Draft, many predicted he would be an outstanding rookie. Even sports analyst Stephen A. Smith expressed his excitement after the Lakers drafted the former Tennessee Volunteer.
Knecht quickly lived up to the hype with a standout performance in the Lakers’ preseason game against the Phoenix Suns. Knecht played 32 minutes coming off the bench and racked up 35 points, proving he was more than ready for the big stage.
The Lakers rookie star’s performance even caught the attention of rapper Snoop Dogg, who appeared on “First Take” to share his admiration for the rookie. Snoop was so impressed that he gave Knecht a new nickname, “Westside Knecht.”
“You called him by the wrong name. His new name is Westside Knecht. Please recognize the game when it’s in your face,” Dogg said.
Fans React To Snoop Dogg’s New Nickname For Dalton Knecht
Dalton Knecht’s biggest moment came in the fourth quarter and overtime, where he scored 20 straight points for the Lakers. Along with his 35 points, Knecht added two blocks and seven rebounds and shot 8-for-13 from three-point range, helping the Lakers secure a 125-122 victory over the Suns.
NBA fans were just as amazed, taking to social media to express their excitement about both Knecht’s new nickname and his surprising performance. Some of them expressed hope for the Lakers’ upcoming season.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Nevertheless, many fans were quick to predict that the Lakers are going to stumble in the playoffs again despite Knecht’s addition. Some of them didn’t hesitate to poke fun at Dogg.
Knecht has been a standout throughout the preseason. Through the preseason, he appeared in five games, averaging 18.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
The rookie’s stellar play extends back to the Summer League. In the Summer League, he averaged 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
