"It wasn't too bad": Lakers rookie reacts to his name being named after 'Road House' protagonist Patrick Swayze
L.A. Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht revealed something personal about his life. In an interview shortly after his introductory press conference, Knecht shared how his parents named him.
Knecht, who was picked by the Lakers as the 17th overall pick in this year’s NBA draft, confirmed that he was named after the James Dalton character, which was played by Patrick Swayze in Road House.
Knecht, who is just 23 years old, was born in 2001, about 11 years after the movie was released. He reacted to this fact in the same interview, saying:
"I asked my parents how they came up with my name, and they brought up Road House. It was a super old movie. I don’t know when it was made. I watched it, it wasn't too bad."
Road House is a favorite among those born in the 1980s. The movie follows a stoic bouncer named Dalton in New York, who was assigned to take over security at a club in Jasper, Missouri. Dalton’s security skills were revered in the area, allowing him to bargain for full authority in the county’s club. Dalton then protected the county from a corrupt businessman.
Road House was released in May 1989 but achieved cult status when it was voted as the most-watched film on cable in 2020. There is also a remake of the movie in 2024 starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
While no information yet about him or his parents seeing the remake of Road House, Knetch is nevertheless closer to Hollywood than ever before, playing in L.A.
Dalton Knecht signs rookie deal with the Lakers
Dalton Knecht, who is much older than most of the players drafted in the class, is set to become a rotation piece for the L.A Lakers next season. On Tuesday, the Lakers signed Knecht on a rookie deal that will allow him to play in the NBA Summer League and barred him from being traded in the next 30 days.
Many expected Knecht to be drafted higher than he did in the draft as he offered a unique combination of shooting and relentless driving for a six-foot-five guard or wing.
Considered to be one of the most NBA-ready prospects in the draft, Knecht spent all five years in college starting with the Northern Colorado Bears and ending it with the Tennessee Volunteers.
Knecht averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in his last season in the collegiate ranks. He also shot 45.8% from the field, and an impressive 39.75 from the three-point line.
In the draft combine, Knecht recorded a 39-inch vertical leap, one of the highest in this year’s rookie showcase. He is set to fortify the Lakers' guard and wing rotation which is currently led by D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura.