The Los Angeles Lakers have started the JJ Redick era strong. Facing the 2023-24 Western Conference finalist, Los Angeles cruised to a 110-103 victory that had the NBA buzzing about how different the team looked from last season despite its nearly identical roster.
If there’s only one word to describe the key to Riddick’s early success, it’s the one he uttered during a recent interview that highlighted his defining characteristics.
Redick’s 1-0 start to his NBA coaching career can only indicate so much in the long term. However, the difference in energy in Los Angeles is clear, and his approach to the game is justifiably praised for that very reason.
According to Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation, Redick plans to submit a request to the NBA to stop using the new basketballs entirely.
“Sending a request to the league tomorrow so we can play with caution basketballs,” Reddick added. “I’m not sure why we play in real games. I’m very serious. I’m not sure why we play in real games with brand new basketballs. Anyone who has touched a brand new NBA ball. It’s a different feel and texture than a caution basketball. I didn’t realize that until after the “Timeout. There’s a long bounce, and I catch it. Why are we playing this ball?”
Redick continued, offering a quote that sums up why the Lakers made the right decision to hire him as head coach:
“Do you think I’m joking? I’m nervous.”
Redick, a neurotic, detail-oriented coach without hesitation, has the opportunity to change the culture — and there are signs he has already done so.
During the early stages of the coaching search, it was revealed that the Lakers were looking for a candidate who could be described as a “grinder.” It was an interesting description of the ideal employee, as it seemed to paint a picture of the lack of attention to detail from the previous regime.
Whatever that means in terms of where he used to be, it’s becoming abundantly clear that Redick fits the description — and he’s made it known that his coaching staff does, too.
Early performances from Los Angeles during the preseason and regular-season opener seemed to reveal the effect the new staff had on the players. There was noticeably more energy on both ends of the floor, as well as creative movement off the ball to generate shots in a way that didn’t require a specific player to run the offense.
It was a major departure from the Lakers’ no-nonsense approach to the 2023-24 season, which seemed to include a mindset that offensive rebounding had nothing to do with a team’s success.
In their regular-season opener, the Lakers pulled down 15 offensive boards — nearly double the number of offensive boards the league-worst averaged 8.2 in 2023-24. It was the best statistical example of how different a team can be in just one game.
It was also a testament to Redick’s ability to identify the Lakers’ flaws and carefully analyze how to design schemes to address the need for improvement.
The same was acknowledged in a recent interview, when Redick discussed Anthony Davis’ three-point shooting. He acknowledged that he wanted the five-time All-NBA winner to attempt more shots from beyond the arc, but he also recognized the need to create those opportunities in a natural way.
With his detail-oriented approach to coaching, Reddick is setting himself up to do what any first-year head coach would quickly learn.
