Latest news with #Redick
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Lakers head coach JJ Redick visited a Rams practice this week
Lakers head coach JJ Redick visited a Rams practice this week JJ Redick has silenced plenty of his critics by leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 50-32 record and the third seed in the Western Conference this season. Although they were knocked out of the first round of the playoffs in five games by the Minnesota Timberwolves, it looks like they have found a quality coach to lead them into the future. Even better, it looks like Redick has gained respect from others. On Wednesday, the head coach of the Purple and Gold made an appearance at a Los Angeles Rams offseason practice session, and he even talked to some of their players. Sean McVay, the innovative and bright head coach of the Rams, had some nice things to say about Redick. The Rams have rebuilt very quickly following their Super Bowl championship three calendar years ago. With young stars coming into their own on both sides of the football, as well as newcomer Davante Adams, a six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, they're hoping to get back into the mix for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Redick is likely hoping the Lakers supply him with some young studs of their own so that he can deliver a world championship trophy of his own to the Southland.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Lakers coach JJ Redick in attendance for Rams' 1st day of OTAs
Lakers coach JJ Redick in attendance for Rams' 1st day of OTAs On their first day of OTAs, the Los Angeles Rams had a visitor watching practice. Lakers coach JJ Redick was spotted on the sideline taking in the Rams' practice session, checking out how Sean McVay runs things in Woodland Hills. Redick says he spoke to McVay before taking the Lakers' head coaching job, and though it doesn't sound like they keep in touch frequently, they obviously talk enough to set up this visit during OTAs. 'He is actually someone I talked to a bunch before I took this job,' Redick said in March. 'Unfortunately, we've both been busy and have not been able to connect. His season started and then my season started.' The Lakers' season didn't end the way they hoped with a championship, but after acquiring Luka Doncic from the Mavericks, they made a push toward a playoff berth before getting eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was still a successful first season for Redick at the helm, going 50-32 and earning the No. 3 seed in the West. Being a new coach like McVay once was, it wouldn't be a bad idea for him to heed advice from the Rams' Super Bowl-winning coach.
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jeanie Buss admits she was 'worried' about hiring JJ Redick
Jeanie Buss admits she was 'worried' about hiring JJ Redick After the Los Angeles Lakers fired Darvin Ham following two seasons as their head coach, they quickly started courting JJ Redick to become their next head coach. Redick had a long and productive NBA career as a 3-point specialist, but he had no coaching experience of any kind at either the pro or college levels. He had become a podcaster since his playing career ended, and he co-hosted the "Mind the Game" podcast with LeBron James, which led to further skepticism that he would be able to do his job well. But Redick did a solid job by keeping the Lakers in one piece through multiple slumps and changes, and he guided them to a 50-32 record and the third seed in the Western Conference. Although they fell in five games in the first round of the playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves, their immediate future appears to be reasonably bright. Team governor Jeanie Buss admitted several weeks ago that she was "worried" about hiring Redick at first. Via ESPN: "I was worried about hiring a rookie coach," Buss said. "This team is so important to this community, and to bring in a rookie coach that had no experience before, that was a big leap. But I knew that [Redick and Pelinka] would work well together, and I love watching the progress that they're making." While Redick made a mistake in Game 4 against Minnesota that may have helped cost Los Angeles the series by playing just five men in the second half, it seems as if fans and experts generally trust him at this point. His greatest test may come next season, when the honeymoon will be over and L.A. may have the depth and size to be a legitimate championship contender.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"He played a guy who hadn't played in three months" - Windy says Redick's 'immature' coaching cost the Lakers this season
There's plenty of blame to go around when it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers' failed postseason run. Some pointed to Luka Doncic's matador defense. Some cited LeBron James' fourth-quarter shortcomings, especially in Games 4 and 5, when Bron totaled a mere three points in the final periods of those games. However, ESPN's Brian Windhorst emphasized that the bulk of the blame must go to the team's head coach, JJ Redick, for the way he led the team this postseason. Redick's not there yet While the former NBA sharpshooter-turned-head coach did well in steering the Lakers to the third seed after the regular season, everyone knows the postseason is a different animal. And while the former Duke Blue Devil has experience, it came as a player, not a coach. Advertisement Redick's lack of experience in leading a team through the playoffs was evident in his questionable rotations and inability to make adjustments when things weren't going well. This became especially apparent in the series' last two games, wherein Windhorst noted JJ coached "immaturely." "I don't mean this in a personal way—JJ Redick coached very immaturely in this series. He was still seething and upset about the previous games, to the point where Reggie Miller said on the broadcast last night he had to try to calm him down in the pregame meeting because JJ was acting, you know, frankly, childishly," Windy stated on "Get Up." Redick looked troubled long before Game 5 even tipped off when JJ stormed off his pre-game presser after being asked whether he would rely on his assistants to help him with his player rotation decisions. This came on the heels of his bizarre decision to play only five players in the entire second half of Game 4. However, his most head-scratching coaching decision came in the fourth quarter of Game 5. With the Purple & Gold's season hanging in the balance, down by three with only 5:36 left, Redick inserted big man Maxi Kleber — who was playing in his first game back after missing 43 straight games because of foot surgery — into the game. Advertisement "And then in this game, he played a guy who hadn't played in three months ahead of centers that he had on his roster. He played Maxi Kleber. He had never even practiced with the Lakers. Maxi Kleber's on the court with five minutes to go in, like, a two-possession game. That is not a rational decision," Windhorst noted. Related: "Kevin's counter to that was Larry needs to get a life" - Why Kevin McHale never appreciated Larry Bird's outlook on his pre-game approach Minimal to no adjustments Kendrick Perkins criticized Redick, accusing him of being stubborn and fixated on proving that his approach was the right one. From failing to formulate a suitable defensive game plan to playing a 40-year-old LeBron at five, it was clear that the rookie head coach wasn't ready for the moment. Advertisement "Did JJ Redick make any adjustments in this series to adjust to the Minnesota Timberwolves? No. To the size, the athleticism, the length? No, absolutely not. He was stuck in his ways and harped on playing this small ball lineup and leaving LeBron James, a 40-year-old senior citizen, at the five position to battle with Rudy, Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Jaden McDaniels," Perk stated. "At what point are you, as the head coach, going to make adjustments, especially when you're down in the series? But instead, you're trying to prove to the rest of the world that your way is going to work, and it didn't," the former NBA champion added. Experience is invaluable, especially on a stage as pivotal as the NBA Playoffs. For JJ, his inexperience was evident. Redick's lack of familiarity with high-stakes situations, combined with his stubborn approach, ultimately denied the Lakers the opportunity to advance in the playoffs. Related: "I didn't play good enough to help us be successful" - Austin Reaves shoulders blame for Lakers' first-round exit
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Los Angeles Lakers 2024-25 fantasy basketball season recap: Luka Doncic set to be next Laker Legend
While the NBA Playoffs are in full swing, now is a good time to recap the fantasy basketball season for all 30 teams. In the following weeks, we will provide a recap for each team, starting with the team with the worst record and concluding with the NBA champion in June. Advertisement The first year with JJ Redick at the helm was cut short by an earlier exit than expected, but with Luka Doncic in town, the Lakers will be contenders for years to come. Los Angeles Lakers 2024-25 Season Recap Record: 50-32 (3rd, West, lost first round) Offensive Rating: 106.7 (29th) Defensive Rating: 115.7 (24th) Net Rating: -19.1 (27th) Pace: 98.22 (23rd) 2024 Draft Picks: 55 There's always a spotlight on the Lakers, but it felt like it was stronger than ever this season. Former ESPN analyst and LeBron James' co-host on the Mind the Game podcast JJ Redick was set to make the jump from the broadcast booth to the sidelines. Though he had displayed a knowledge for the game on the microphone, there were questions about how it would translate to a coaching role. From day one, there were comparisons between Redick's record with the team and former head coach Darvin Ham's record as the season progressed. Things only got more hectic when they traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic overnight with no warning that either player would even have a chance of being moved. Still, Redick did a good job in the regular season, but there were too many obstacles to overcome in their series against Minnesota, and they lost in five games. Advertisement The spotlight isn't going anywhere, but the chaos of adjusting on the fly should have subsided. They'll have a full offseason to get Doncic integrated (he missed two months before making his debut for the Lakers), and they'll try to make moves to build a roster that fits Luka's strengths. Oh, and they still have LeBron James. Though there was a lot of criticism about the Lakers, the future is looking bright for them, and their timeline to compete no longer runs out when LeBron retires. Fantasy Standout: LeBron James He's not what he once was, but James is still contributing at a high level. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steal and 2.1 triples in 70 games this season. That allowed him to provide second-round value in nine-cat leagues, which he has only failed to accomplish twice in his career. His 24.4 points per game were his lowest scoring average since his rookie year, but it was still 13th in the league. Of course, even if it sometimes feels like it, LeBron can't play forever. He has a player option for next season, but he will be a free agent after that. He's producing at such a high level that it's hard to consider, but from this point on, every season could be his last. He's still among the best players in the league, but to ensure he has a chance to win another ring, Redick could opt to drop his minutes next season. We've been expecting that to happen for years, and while it hasn't happened yet, it's difficult to imagine a 40-year-old playing 34.9 minutes per game for 70 games, which he did this season. Advertisement Fantasy Revelation: Austin Reaves Reaves has continued to improve every season, and this was his best one yet. He averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.7 triples per game across his 73 appearances this season. Those marks were all new career highs for him, which resulted in top-50 value in nine-cat leagues. After the trade for Luka, Reaves was even better, which is surprising. He averaged 23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.3 threes in 26 games alongside Doncic. Despite needing to share touches with another ball dominant star, Reaves was able to have more success late in the season, though it didn't translate in the playoffs. He struggled in LA's loss to Minnesota, which does leave some questions about his future value. However, fantasy basketball is played during the regular season, and Reaves was incredible there. He should continue to play a significant role for the Lakers, especially if they want to keep LeBron fresh for the playoffs. Fantasy Disappointment: Jaxson Hayes Advertisement It's hard to truly be disappointed in Hayes, but the expectations for him to contribute in fantasy after the trade deadline were high. He didn't really have competition for minutes at center. He started 32 times after Anthony Davis was traded away, and he averaged 8.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 block in 21.9 minutes per game. Hayes had a golden opportunity to have an excellent run and earn himself a decent-sized contract this summer. His competition for minutes at center were Alex Len and Christian Koloko, yet it got to the point that Redick opted to use Dorian Finney-Smith at center in a series against Rudy Gobert because he felt it was more effective. Whether or not it was the right strategy, if Hayes had been better, it wouldn't have been something Redick considered. Hayes was a hot pickup after the trade, but he didn't take advantage of the situation. Fantasy Recaps/Look-Aheads Luka Doncic Doncic appeared in 28 games for the Lakers after the shocking deal that ended his time in Dallas. He averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 3.6 threes per game, which is a generational season for most but was considered a disappointment for Luka. He had been sidelined since Christmas Day with a calf injury by the time he made his debut for the Lakers nearly two months later. Before that, he had already been dealing with some other nagging injuries that forced him to miss some time. Advertisement Redick has already emphasized the need for everyone to be in championship shape next season, and if you hadn't heard, part of the reason that Mavericks GM Nico Harrison traded Doncic was that he was out of shape. That report was leaked in numerous ways, though it may have mostly been to justify the deal. Perhaps that adds fuel to the fire for Doncic, but either way, he was never at his best for the Lakers, which can be attributed to the injuries that forced him to miss time. A full offseason with his new team should work wonders for Luka. Expect him to be one of the best players in fantasy basketball again next season. Dalton Knecht Los Angeles drafted Knecht with the No. 17 pick in the draft last summer, and he was quickly able to make an impact. That's the hope when you draft a 23-year-old in the first round. However, things changed when he was sent to Charlotte for Mark Williams, only for the deal to be rescinded. Though he had a few strong performances after that, he struggled overall and wasn't part of the rotation by the end of the year. He made 78 appearances as a rookie and averaged 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 threes per game. The Lakers already tried to trade him once, so it wouldn't be shocking if they explored moving him again this summer. They need center help, and he's one of their more valuable trade assets. If he's back in LA, he'll be a nice reserve scorer. However, if he ends up elsewhere, and it's a situation where he starts and sees plenty of shots, he may be able to make an impact next season, especially in points leagues. Advertisement Rui Hachimura Hachimura was a starter from day one for the Lakers and was a consistent producer for them throughout the year. He averaged 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.7 triples per game. Hachimura hovered inside the top 150 in nine-cat leagues for the second straight season, though he hasn't excelled in any individual category. Unless the Lakers make big roster changes this summer, he should play a significant role as a starter once again next season. However, the 27-year-old won't have much room for growth, since he won't see a dramatic increase in usage during a full season with Luka Doncic in town. Dorian Finney-Smith The Lakers acquired DFS at the end of December in a deal that sent D'Angelo Russell to Brooklyn. Finney-Smith played in 43 games for the Lakers and averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.9 threes per game. He is a solid veteran that can still make an impact on both sides of the floor. He spent the first six seasons of his career in Dallas, which means he is very familiar with playing with Luka. As a starter, he can still be a solid source of defensive stats and triples, but with the way roster is currently constructed, he likely won't play a large enough role to provide standard league value next season. Still, he'll hold some upside as a spot starter. Advertisement Jordan Goodwin After originally joining the Lakers on a 10-day deal, Goodwin played well enough to earn a contract for the remainder of the season. They have a team option to bring him back, and while the numbers weren't gaudy, he played well enough to deserve a roster spot next season. In his 29 appearances, he averaged 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and one steal per game. Assuming he returns, he'll be a solid depth piece for LA, but he'll likely only hold legitimate fantasy value as an injury replacement. Jarred Vanderbilt Vanderbilt missed the final two months of last season with a midfoot sprain, and then had surgery on both of his feet in the offseason, so he didn't suit up for the Lakers until January. Still, he played in 36 games and averaged 4.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and one steal per game. Vanderbilt is an elite defender, but his offensive game is incredibly limited. If he sees a bump in usage next season, he should be able to provide rebounds and steals, but that will be the extent of his fantasy impact. Advertisement Gabe Vincent His first season with the Lakers was disappointing, but Vincent was more productive in year two. He averaged 6.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.5 threes in 21.2 minutes per game. Vincent earned a contract with Los Angeles after a strong playoff run with the Heat, but he has never finished inside the top 200 in nine-cat leagues. That is unlikely to change next season. Restricted Free Agents: Christian Koloko Unrestricted Free Agents: Jaxson Hayes, Markieff Morris, Alex Len Team Option: Jordan Goodwin Player Option: LeBron James, Dorian Finney-Smith
