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JJ Redick deserves much credit for Lakers’ success. He’s not getting it nationally
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- JJ Redick deserves much credit for Lakers’ success. He’s not getting it nationally
Lakers coach JJ Redick
Lakers coach JJ Redick was a gamble.
When he took over the helm in June 2024, he had never coached.
His challenge was immense: He was tasked with integrating LeBron James , Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves on a franchise that views anything short of a championship as a failure.
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That meant he had to convince James, who's arguably the greatest NBA player of all time, to accept being the team's third option at age 41.
The Lakers' JJ Redick deserves to be mentioned among the NBA's best coaches this season. Getty Images
He had to convince Doncic, who's a top-five player in the league, to play defense — something he notoriously rejected with the Mavericks.
And he had to convince Reaves, who has played at an All-Star level this season, that he belongs in the Big 3.
It was an incredibly tough assignment, especially in Los Angeles , where everything is hyper visible and any hiccup instantly becomes fodder for national news.
So far, Redick has surpassed expectations.
The Lakers are rolling . They've won 10 of their last 11 games, including seven straight entering Thursday. Over that stretch, they've beaten multiple contenders, including the Knicks , Timberwolves , Nuggets and Rockets twice.
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From top to bottom, Redick has gotten buy-in from the Lakers.
He has convinced Deandre Ayton to get over himself. The former No. 1 overall pick in 2018, who has notoriously struggled with maturity throughout his career, has gone from being frustrated that he's not a star to embracing starring in his role.
He has unlocked Marcus Smart , who has become the lockdown defender the team needs after being seldomly used the last two seasons with the Grizzlies and Wizards . Now? Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, has found his stride again, even remarkably holding Anthony Edwards to 2-for-15 shooting on March 10.
When you think about it, Redick is putting up a Coach of the Year campaign.
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He probably won't win that award considering his competition. J.B. Bickerstaff has transformed the Pistons into the East's top seed. Joe Mazzulla has led the Celtics to second in the East, despite not having Jayson Tatum (Achilles) for 62 games this season. And Mitch Johnson has helped the Spurs become contenders quicker than anyone anticipated.
Lakers coach JJ Redick has gotten buy-in from star Luka Doncic and the rest of his roster. NBAE via Getty Images
But Redick's name belongs up there.
The Lakers are in third in the West. They're contenders . And it is because everyone is doing their part to win.
James is sacrificing. Doncic is putting energy into the less glamorous side of the court. Reaves is being aggressive. Ayton is setting aside his ego. And Smart is refinding his joy.
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Redick's growth is notable in his second season as a professional head coach.
When the Lakers hired him, they were hoping he'd have a Pat Riley-type of ascension. Redick was clearly smart, something that was obvious during his 15 seasons as a player. His basketball IQ also shined during his incisive commentary as a broadcaster following his playing career.
And after he got the Lakers' gig, it became clear Redick was also very intense. During games, he's fiery and wears his emotions on his sleeve. And after games, he goes into a dark basement to obsessively rewatch film.
But it was questionable whether intelligence and intensity would translate into winning, especially when coupled with inexperience.
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Ultimately, Redick's biggest task wasn't X's and O's. It was getting some of the league's biggest names to wholeheartedly embrace his vision, even if it meant they had to do things differently.
There have definitely been bumps along the way. After the Lakers embarrassingly rolled over in an effortless 119-96 loss to the Rockets on Christmas, he laid into the team, saying, "We don't care enough to be a professional."
At the Lakers' next practice on Dec. 27, he put the responsibility on himself, saying, "I'm always going to look in the mirror first." The Lakers went on to rebound from their three-game losing streak, winning four of their next five.
Redick also came under fire after Doncic snubbed him for a fist bump during the Lakers' 129-101 win over the Warriors on Feb. 28. Redick responded by following Doncic to his seat and saying something to him that clearly got under his skin. Afterward, Doncic got up to follow Redick but was stopped by Jarred Vanderbilt , who stood up and clapped.
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A clip of that incident went viral, leading the basketball world to wonder if Doncic and Redick didn't like each other. The finger was also pointed at Redick for not being a good leader.
Redick, however, quickly shut down those narratives. "He and I have a great relationship," Redick said. "… Those things happen."
The 41-year-old coach has handled all of the challenges that he has encountered. He has taken accountability. He has constantly resteered the plane.
And now, it's soaring.
The Lakers are playing their best basketball of the season during the stretch run. And Redick deserves a lot of the credit.
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He has constantly held the rope.
And he has convinced everyone to do so, too.
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