If documented for public consumption, the incident surely would have gone viral. Instead, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick replays the moment continuously in his mind.
The subject: how Lakers rookie guard Cameron Carr made a strong impression during training camp at the expense of the team’s player development coach.
“I don’t want to throw anybody under the bus. But probably the best dunk we had in all of camp was against the coaches, and he dunked on Justin Robinson,” Redick said. “If we showed the ‘Admiral’ the tape, I don’t think the ‘Admiral’ would be all that happy.”
Former San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson surely would have shaken his head over his son allowing a 21-year-old rookie to posterize him. After all, David Robinson cemented a Hall-of-Fame career and won two NBA championships mostly because of his elite protection. In related news, David Robinson collected a Defensive Player of the Year trophy (1992) and landed on four NBA All-Defensive First Teams and four Second Teams.
The Lakers were surely happy about Carr’s athleticism. That partly explains why the Lakers sent the New York Knicks cash and the rights to an overseas player (Sergio de Larrea) for the No. 24 pick. The Lakers used that selection on Carr, who starred at the University of Tennessee (2023-25) and Baylor (2025-26) as a valued wing for his smooth shooting stroke and his strong hops.
The Lakers have liked Carr for reasons beyond likely appearing on a highlight reel, though.
“Cam has made an impression on all of us because he asks great questions,” Redick said. “He wants to learn. He wants to be coached. I think the biggest thing for him throughout these next six to 12 months is continuing to build his capacity for physicality. I think that’s the biggest thing for him. He has a great base, skill-wise and athleticism wise. He has a bright understanding of intuitive basketball and just has great instincts on both sides of the ball. It just really comes down to building the capacity for physicality.”
The Lakers don’t have a true sense on how Carr will handle the NBA’s physicality with his listed 6-foot-5, 184-pound frame. He missed the Lakers’ final three pre-season games and first six regular-season games while healing a strained right oblique. Carr entered Sunday’s game against the Toronto Raptors in mop-up duty with 1:43 left only for Redick to insert his starters back with 47 seconds left to protect a late-game lead. Carr played in the final 1:22 in the Lakers’ win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday. But whenever Carr plays substantial minutes, Redick expects him to help the Lakers with shooting, point-of-attack defense and physicality.
“He can really shoot the ball,” Redick said. “He can score. I think he’ll continue to develop being a dynamic offensive player. He has a clear pathway to the rim and has athleticism.”
Carr spoke to Fadeaway World about numerous topics, including overcoming his early injury, how he’s preparing for the NBA’s physicality and on playing with star Luka Dončić. Carr also shared how he teases his Dad, Chris, who finished runner-up behind Kobe Bryant in the 1997 NBA Dunk Contest.
Editor’s note: The following one-on-one conversation has been edited and condensed
How are you feeling after your recovery?
Carr: “It’s been great, man. I’m getting my feet wet and I’m getting my legs under me. That’s been big time.”
How did you handle having to be out?
Carr: “I was taking it day-by-day and step-by-step. You just have to move forward. Every time you get knocked down, you have to get back up. So I didn’t really take it too much as a setback. It’s just a curveball in my day. I’m just taking it as learning how to adjust to curveballs and stuff like that.”
Why have you been able to be positive and resilient about this?
Carr: “You have to remember your ‘whys.’ I love this game. So I did whatever I could to get back to it.”
What do you think you got out of training camp before the injury?
Carr: “It was pretty good. I got to learn a lot. I got to learn about the guys and compete with them every day. Defensively, I was trying to learn from the guys before me, especially with guys that are the same size. Matisse [Thybulle], Ziaire [Williams] and Quentin [Grimes] have been helpful and phenomenal defenders. Anything I can take to them be a good defender is helpful.”
What have they done to help you defensively?
Carr: “I don’t know if I can give you all the secret sauce. But everybody is very unique to how they defend. Everybody defends very, very differently. They all have their strengths and their quirks that make them dynamic on the defensive end. I try to take a little from each one of them.”
How do you apply that to your game?
Carr: “I look and see what they do in that situation. I then try to copy that. I want to keep learning. I want to keep playing hard. I think it’s all feel game-to-game. It’s all based on personnel. So that’s always different. I really think it’s about being a student of the game and watching film.”
What’s your film routine like?
Carr: “Usually, I just watch it when I get home. I don’t have anything else to do. Other than that, I just play video games (laughs). I told myself that I’ll wait on the video games until GTA drops. [Grand Theft Auto]. But even then, I’ll still be watching film.”
What do you enjoy about watching film?
Carr: “You learn. You see it from a different perspective, especially when you’re away from the game. It gives you another perspective on what you could’ve done. It’s helped with understanding rotations. Any time we’re in scramble, I have a better understanding of where I can be better and where I can be smarter. I don’t want to take myself out of possessions. I want to keep my rotations sharp.”
How are you figuring out how to be aggressive while minimizing mistakes?
Carr: “You’re going to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. The only thing you can control is how hard you play. As long as you’re trying to do the right thing and changing bad habits, you’re taking steps in the right direction. They say that noticing the problem is half the battle. They want you to be aggressive. It’s okay to make mistakes, but keep playing hard.”
JJ said that you’re going to have to adapt to the NBA’s physicality. How do you think you can handle that?
Carr: “I don’t know. This first year is going to be a lot about learning. So I don’t really know what to expect. I’m going into a lot of this with eyes closed, and it’s unknown territory. So I’m taking it and learning day-by-day. Whatever comes to me, I’ll just adjust from it and grow.”
During your intro presser, you talked about wanting to add strength and weight. How has that played out since then?
Carr: “I’ve lifted every year. I’ve lifted every single day. I’ve been in the gym working. I handle my part. So I just show up and work hard. I’m getting stronger 100%.”
How have you seen that make a difference so far?
Carr: “I feel like I’m moving more consistently. I’m more explosive. It’s helping in little things defensively. It’s little areas where I’m not as explosive or where I’m not as quick laterally. I’m seeing differences, for sure.”
JJ said you had dunked on Justin Robinson during training camp. How did it go down?
Carr: “Yeah, it was pretty bad. I came off a screen, and they gave it to me. I took one dribble and hesitated. He jumped into me, and I kind of caught him as I was going up. So he gave me a little boost.”
What was the reaction?
Carr: “I dunk on people, so it’s not really much of a reaction. He was just like, ‘Dang, he just dunked on me.’”
You didn’t have much of a reaction, but what about everyone else?
Carr: “Everyone else was like, ‘Oh wow. Maybe he might be athletic.’”
It’s early. But it looked like since Summer League that your shooting stroke looks pretty smooth. What has gone into that?
Carr: “I always have my hands ready. With ‘Luka Magic,’ there will be a bunch of no-look passes. So I got to have my hands ready. I’m always being shot ready. That’s always what I have been taught. Anytime I’m in position that he can possibly see me, I have to make sure that my hands are ready just in case.”
What has that adjustment been like with Luka and Austin?
Carr: “It’s different. But it’s okay, though. Now I’m doing it at the highest level. I’m playing with the best scorer in the game right now. It’s crazy. This is Luka Dončić. It’s different than college. He’s the best in the world. Austin Reaves is the best in the world. They’re the best in the world for a reason. I keep listening and keep learning from them. Just don’t make the same mistake over an over again.”
Unfortunately, you had to attend the NBA’s rookie orientation program during Luka’s team trip to Slovenia. What moments did you feel the most FOMO?
Carr: “When they went golfing. I wish I could’ve gone golfing. It’s okay, though. I’ll make it up. We got a long year. I’m enjoying my time with these guys. So I’ll make up for it.”
You’re a golfer?
Carr: “A little bit.”
How’s your game?
Carr: “I’m okay. I’m starting to get into it more recently. But I’m okay. I’m all right. I’m pulling my irons. I can’t go out there and just hit the ball cold. But if you get me some time, I will.”
So not good enough yet to challenge Austin [Reaves]?
Carr: (laughs). “No. Not yet. He’s really good.”
What did they go over orientation?
Carr: “They just talked about being professional about everything that you do. Prepare yourself as a professional. You don’t want to be immature. These are grown men. And it’s a grown man’s game.”
You have an immediate connection to the Lakers with your pops finishing second behind Kobe in the ’97 dunk contest. What has your Dad said about it over the years?
Carr: “I first saw it when I was in elementary school when I really realized that my Dad was in the dunk contest. I’ve seen it so many times. I’ve heard about it so many times. Now usually when it comes on, I just look at him and I just laugh.”
Why’s that?
Carr: “He hates seeing it. It’s all over the place. He sees it all the time. One day for his birthday, my sister took a screen shot of Kobe Bryant holding up the dunk contest trophy. My Dad’s in the back looking like, ‘Dang, I just lost.’ And she posts, ‘Happy birthday, Dad!’ It was hilarious. So every year, they always send it to the group chat. He is like, ‘Ya’ll are hilarious.”
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