Inducted as coach of the Lakers this summer to replace Darvin Ham, JJ Redick is tackling a major challenge: putting the Purple and Gold back at the top of the NBA. Does the former fullback have the shoulders for the job?
JJ Redick, LeBron James’ choice (for better or for worse)
At the time of his presentation as coach of the Lakers, JJ Redick explained that LeBron James had not communicated with him during the recruitment process. The new Lakers coach undoubtedly wanted to avoid any idea of a boost on the part of the superstar.
However, and despite Redick’s qualities, the shadow of the King is never very far away. On the one hand, it is hard to imagine the franchise appointing a coach without asking the local star for an opinion. On the other hand, the two men are known to be close, they had also co-presented a podcast together. It didn’t take more for Redick is labeled as “LeBron’s friend”.
Positive point, the former serial shooter can count on the locker room boss to get his message across. On the media level, the King also seems ready to make the task easier for his coach. On the sidelines of the training camp, BronBron also explained that we should not have excessive expectations on the Lakers this season. A speech that clashes a little with what James could say during the last exercises. A way of not putting intense pressure on Redick probably.
Having LeBron James as an ally is rather positive for having weight with your players (and managers). On the other hand, the situation can cause discussion. The coach is close to his player, be careful not to turn the situation into favoritism or preferential treatment, especially with Bronny, son of LeBron James and recently drafted by the Lakers.
“I don’t look at it any differently than coaching any other player or managing any other player-coach relationship.”
Mike Trudell checked in from Palm Springs to share Redick’s thoughts on the rotation and how he manages the father-son dynamic. pic.twitter.com/og1w0PNUcA
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) https://twitter.com/SpectrumSN/status/1843098562286260292?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
In the best case scenario, Redick will leave with a welcome safety net, in the worst case he will participate in a gigantic circus with a backdrop of “JJ Redick is LeBron James’ puppet”.
Coaching the Lakers, far from being a sinecure
Almost every season, a new coach arrives in an NBA franchise. This year, Jordi Fernandez, Charles Lee and even JJ Redick. For all three, this will be a great first as NBA head coach. However, the files are far from identical. The first two already have extensive experience as assistants in the NBA. Fernandez was even a starting coach with Canada in two international competitions.
JJ Redick has only coached elementary school kids in his life. Nothing in the NCAA, nothing in the NBA. He’s not a beginner either. Already, he is a former NBA player who lasted in the League. Training camps, the locker room, he has already experienced all that, with the need to manage everyone’s egos. However, it is one thing to experience it as a player and another to experience it as a coach. Redick also understood this by hiring experienced assistants like Nate McMillan or Scott Brooks.
The other important point is the environment. If Charles Lee or Jordi Fernandez lose heavily this season, who will blame them? Charlotte and Brooklyn are rebuilding, this is not the case for the Lakers. Who says environment also says reputation of the franchise. No disrespect in Utah, Memphis or Charlotte precisely, but the pressure is not the same as with a franchise like that of the Lakers.
Aside from Boston and New York, no team has as much pressure as the Los Angeles Lakers on a daily basis. Fans are demanding, the franchise’s victorious past calls for new titles. There’s no room for patience or indulgence in LA
Small numerical example concerning the coaches at the Purple and Gold. The Lakers have existed for 77 years (1947), they have had 28 coaches so far (JJ Redick is the 29th). So on average, that would be a little less than 3 years of mandate per coach. Except that this stat is a little distorted. By adding John Kundla, Fred Schaus, Bill Sharman, Pat Riley and Phil Jackson, we already arrive at 43 seasons. 48 if we add Dell Harris.
Since the departure of Phil Jackson in 2011, 7 coaches (including one interim) have been in charge of the Lakersalmost 8 with Redick. They lasted on average 2 seasons or 3 for some lucky people. Frank Vogel, despite his title as NBA champion in the Orlando bubble in 2020, was no exception. To see if JJ Redick will be able to fit into the category of coaches who last in the City of Angels.
