New Report on Lakers’ Decision to Make Major Coaching Change.
The Los Angeles Lakers (42-25) have yet to prove themselves this season, but their start has been about as good as new head coach JJ Redick could have hoped for. The team made a surprising move by acquiring superstar guard Luka Doncic midseason, and they are now just one game behind the Denver Nuggets (44-25) and Houston Rockets (44-25) for second place in the Western Conference standings.
Redick’s hiring was an unexpected move, particularly for a high-profile team like the Lakers. The Duke graduate had no previous coaching experience, aside from volunteering with his fourth-grade son’s team at the Brooklyn Basketball Academy, so it was a bold decision.
Nevertheless, Redick has proven himself as a strong and accountable leader within the organization.
A notable example came when he criticized the team for their subpar performance in their 111-108 loss to the Brooklyn Nets (23-46) on March 10, as reported by The Athletic’s Jovan Buha.
“We just wanted to take shortcuts,” Redick said. “… Just shortcuts. You want to be a good team in the NBA? Want to win? You have to do the hard stuff.”
Redick also did not use LeBron James’ (groin) absence as an excuse. This is a stark contrast to former head coach Darvin Ham’s comments after the Lakers lost to Brooklyn last season, as shared by Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkand.
“I’m tired of people living and dying with every single game we play,” he said. “It’s ludicrous. Actually. Like, come on, man. It’s a marathon.”
Statements like these contributed to Ham’s firing in the offseason, according to Lakers insider Anthony Irwin.
“Sources familiar with the situation said Ham was told by higher-ups that his message was completely wrong, both for his players and the fans,” Irwin reported on Wednesday. “His poor communication played a major role in his dismissal, and the Lakers specifically sought out a replacement who could embody the fierce competitiveness that their fans expect.”