Los Angeles Lakers Usher in New Era with JJ Redick at the Helm
The Los Angeles Lakers have undergone a significant transformation this summer, overhauling their coaching staff and choosing a fresh, unorthodox path in their leadership. The Lakers have appointed JJ Redick as their new head coach, a surprising yet intriguing choice given his lack of prior coaching experience.
Redick, renowned for his celebrated playing career and analytic insight in sports media, now steps into a new role on the sidelines. The Lakers' President, Jeanie Buss, expressed confidence in Redick's fresh vision and his commitment to developing young talent. "We wanted to kind of think a different way. Really, he's got a vision. I'm not comfortable talking about the basketball stuff, but we were looking for a candidate that would bring something different and really invest in developing young players. JJ is the right person for us," Buss stated.
In addition to Redick's hire, the Lakers have assembled a robust team of veteran assistants to support him. Scotty Brooks, Nate McMillan, and Lindsey Harding will be joining Redick on the bench, providing a wealth of experience to ease his transition into the rigors of NBA head coaching. Buss further elaborated, "I'm really impressed with his staff. Right now, it's not mandatory for the players to come in and practice, but players are coming in and working out. The coaching staff with Nate McMillan and Scotty Brooks, there's a lot of experience that will be there for him to make that adjustment to being a head coach."
Last season, under former head coach Darvin Ham, the Lakers exhibited particular weaknesses that Redick aims to address. The team was fourth in post-up possessions per game (7.3), but struggled significantly in their three-point attempts, ranking 28th. Their offensive rebounding rate was also a concern, placing 29th in the league. Despite these shortcomings, they finished 15th in offensive rating with a score of 115.4.
Redick has a clear plan to revamp the Lakers' offensive strategies. He intends to increase the team's three-point attempts and enhance their offensive rebounding while emphasizing more organized offensive sets. Player development and fostering a positive team culture are also foundational elements of his coaching philosophy. Redick candidly expressed his approach, "I'm going to use math," highlighting his analytical method and modern understanding of the game.
One of Redick's core beliefs is creating an enjoyable environment for players and staff alike. "The pursuit of greatness can't be miserable. Every day that somebody walks in this building, they have to enjoy it. I think part of being a coach, right, is, like, 'Can I maximize each player?' That helps maximize the group," Redick explained. His commitment to a positive culture aims to ensure that everyone involved with the Lakers finds joy and fulfillment in their daily work.
The Lakers’ decision to appoint Redick marks a bold move, steering away from the norm and instilling a sense of renewal within the team. With the blend of Redick’s fresh perspective and the support of experienced assistants, the Lakers hope to make significant improvements and foster a nurturing environment for their players. As Jeanie Buss put it, "Again, I just want to work to really speak for itself, so I don't want to hype it and say it's gonna be a home run. We have to give him time to establish what he wants to establish."