The Los Angeles Lakers really did it, man. No, I’m not talking about keeping LeBron James — that’s still up in the air, even if it seems like the Lakers will truly draft Bronny James if they have to.
What I mean is their soap opera-level hire of JJ Redick.
The former role player turned podcaster and announcer will be the 29th head coach in franchise history. Importantly, Redick has no major prior coaching experience and is only just about six months older than James, the superstar player he will be “coaching” soon enough. Redick coaching the Lakers’ Summer League team feels like a distinct possibility for this reason.
During Redick’s official introduction as the Lakers’ coach on Monday, he acknowledged the concerns over his inexperience. And when I say acknowledged, I mean that Redick outright mocked them with a super sarcastic tone:
JJ Redick: ""I have never coached in the NBA before. I don't know if you guys have heard that." pic.twitter.com/FETtaqsFwJ
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) June 24, 2024
I get why Redick highlighted the skepticism about his coaching chops in this fashion. Most of it is probably connected to everyone incessantly discussing concerns about whether he’ll be able to coach a win-now team with James and Anthony Davis. There is a precedent of inexperienced NBA coaches seeing success, even if it seems unlikely at first glance.
The concerns about Redick remain troubling. Until there’s more proof in the pudding, it feels like the Lakers went for the big-splash, attention hire rather than the sensible one.
It’s up to Redick to prove us all wrong.
Featured image courtesy of NBA TV