The Los Angeles Lakers are no strangers to the coaching carousel, having gone through six coaches in twelve years, with mixed results, including the 2020 NBA Championship. But, the constant moves have cost them their identity, and with the roster sure to undergo a massive overhaul in the next four years, the Lakers need a coach who is young and drive, and will deliver the one thing the Lakers have missed–longevity. JJ Redick fits the bill across all the categories, and he would be great in L.A.
Here’s why:
- High Basketball IQ: If Redick’s time as a player wasn’t proof enough, the last few years as an analyst strengthen the case that he might be one of the greatest basketball minds on the planet. Whether he would even want to leave the booth is the big question on fans minds right now.
- Veteran Leadership: As a player, Redick was respected by teammates and opponents, with good reason. He played hard all the time, used his voice on and off the court, and earned every accolade bestowed upon him. This is great for a Lakers team searching for identity on both ends of the court, something LeBron was vocal about toward the end of this past season.
- Positive Influence in the Locker Room: Redick would make an immediate impact on the culture in L.A. – he’s played there, he knows what it takes to succeed , and going back to the team’s identity, Redick would right the ship. Since Phil Jackson departed L.A., there hasn’t been a solid voice in the locker room on the coaching side. He and LeBron already get along, and perhaps this would be the coach LeBron needs at this stage in his career.
JJ Redick embodies the qualities of a consummate professional, a strategist, and a selfless teammate, making him an ideal fit for the Lakers’ championship hopes. His knowledge alone could elevate the Lakers to the level fans are accustomed to, and his leadership could be steadying for LeBron, AD, and the developing support around them.