Why JJ Redick is the Lakers biggest wildcard

LeBron and Bronny James may be receiving a great deal of media attention, but the Los Angeles Lakers’ season may hinge on how first-year head coach JJ Redick guides the team. Whether or not you agree with the hire, it could be argued that the move is destined to end in extreme fashion. In other words, it does not seem likely that Redick’s LA tenure will be a middle-of-the road endeavor that simply fizzles out. middle-of-the-road

Redick will either thrive or exit in disastrous fashion. The Lakers’ current roster construction, combined with their new coach’s lack of experience and unique flair, will create a situation that will only end with dramatic results.

“I just felt like this is what I’m supposed to be doing. I have zero coaching experience in the NBA, but I would argue that I’m very experienced. It started 22 years ago when I went to Duke,” Redick said.

The Lakers have not had an impressive offseason thus far. Aside from bringing back James, LA has been unable to add through free agency due to salary issues. Assuming the roster mainly resembles last year’s rendition, James will once again hope that Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and others will help put together a more consistent campaign.

In particular it will be paramount that Anthony Davis stays healthy. Without him, Redick and the Lakers would be asking James to do a lot on a nightly basis. Such an ask could result in injury or burnout, leaving Redick to work with a roster that is weaker than what teams like the Nuggets, Mavericks, and Timberwolves bring to the hardwood.

Health does not guarantee chemistry for JJ Redick's Lakers

Even if everyone stays healthy, there are still reasons to be concerned about Redick’s lack of experience and recent media endeavors. The former NBA sharpshooter has a bold personality. While it helped him as a player and has also been beneficial to his media career, it is not known how active players will like this trait coming from a head coach who is unproven.

The former NBA sharpshooter has a bold personality. While it helped him as a player, and has also been beneficial to his media career, it is not known how active players will like this trait coming from a head coach who is unproven.While James and Redick worked well on their podcast “Mind the Game,” their dynamic will certainly be different when the season starts, and it could take time for the former Duke Blue Devil to earn the respect of his players.

It is possible that he meshes well with the current roster and has the basketball IQ to scheme a season-long game plan that gets the Lakers towards the top of the West, but the roster does not seem to lend itself to immediate success, making Redick’s first year even more interesting from a personality standpoint.