JJ Redick is quickly learning that being an NBA head coach is tougher than it seems.
Early Season Struggles:
Redick started strong with the Lakers, achieving a 3-0 record. However, things took a turn for the worse as he lost four of the next five games, including a tough defeat against the Grizzlies. Although Anthony Davis was absent, Memphis was also missing key players like Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart. The Lakers had hoped to recover from a previous loss to the Pistons but ended up getting out-rebounded 18-6 in the first quarter, setting a negative tone for the game.
The Lakers tried to rally in the second half but were no match for Ja Morant and his team, who outscored them significantly. Their defense struggled during their road trip, letting opponents score over 130 points twice in one week. Now ranked 28th in defensive rating, they allow nearly 119 points per 100 possessions.
Fans are worried about how much LeBron James and Davis have to carry this team.
Offensive Dependence on Stars:
Offensively, LeBron had to step up without Davis by taking an unusual number of shotsโ24 attemptsโto score 39 points along with seven rebounds and six assists. Despite his efforts, other players like D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves couldn’t support him enough on offense.
Redick’s Frustration Boils Over:
Afterward, Redick praised LeBron’s effort but criticized others for not stepping up. “Almost 40 years old and played the hardest on our team,” he said about James.
Redick on LeBron: "Almost 40 years old and played the hardest on our team. It says a lot about him."
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN)
When asked why Russell played only 22 minutes, Redick bluntly stated that Russell fell into old habits defensively.
JJ Redick did not hold back on DโLo
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead)
In response to questions about addressing player effort issues, Redick tersely replied that he already did before leaving the press conference abruptly.
As he walked away from reporters, he shouted back that it was “the first thing I said to them,” according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
The Pressure of Coaching:
Being new at coaching such a famous team seems overwhelming for Redick right now. These challenges might help him grow as time goes on or could lead to more problems if he keeps publicly calling out players’ lack of effort. The Lakers need caution moving forward!
