More Reactions To JJ Redick’s Move To Coach The Lakers
Including Chris Duhon’s
The Los Angeles Lakers surprised many people when word got out they were considering Duke legend JJ Redick as their next head coach.
Redick build a very respected career during his 15 years in the NBA, then started podcasting where he got critical acclaim. More recently, he moved over to ESPN and had a good run there as well.
But he has no coaching experience at all, and that’s obviously a concern.
However, he got a strong endorsement from his Duke coach, Mike Krzyzewski, and other people have suggested that he’ll do fine as well. Golden State and Olympic coach Steve Kerr says “JJ will be great” and Kenny Smith says it’s more about leadership than coaching experience (he argues that the playing experience should translate well).
Paul George said this: “The Lakers’ job is a tough job in my opinion. They’re expected to win and hold everyone to a higher standard so they’re not gonna treat him like a first-year, first coaching experience head coach. It’s like no, you’re expected to come here and win, and that’s it. But you know JJ went to Duke, had a lot of pressure his entire career, and defied a lot of odds. I think he’s up for the challenge.”
And DeAndre Jordan had this to say: “I do believe JJ is a smart guy, he knows the game, he’s knowledgeable, and knows how to communicate with different players with different backgrounds and skill sets. I’m rooting for JJ. I hope he does well.”
The most interesting reaction though, and one of the most relevant ones to all of us here, was by Redick’s Duke and Orlando Magic teammate Chris Duhon, who said this: “I’m pretty sure he may be getting some type of guidance from Coach K, who’s saying, ‘Hey, make sure your staff is X, Y and Z as far as that fits your personality.’”
That’s almost immediately been interpreted to suggest that Coach K is a backseat driver if you will, that he’s telling Redick how to coach.
That’s not at all what Duhon is suggesting and given K’s history with his former players and assistants, that’s almost certainly the wrong focus.
What Duhon says about “fits your personality” is in line with past K comments like if you don’t put a plant in a jar you don’t know what you’ll get. Or, perhaps most of all, run your own race.
The idea that he’s trying to coach through Redick is just silly, not least of all because he’s clearly not doing it in Durham, where Jon Scheyer is putting together a team with very different elements than what Coach K employed.
However, we’re quite sure that if any of his former players or assistants called for advice he’d answer. But impose himself?
Not a chance.
- Steve Kerr Had a Powerful Six Word Message For Doubters Of JJ Redick
- Tyronn Lue On Why He Didn’t Like JJ Redick: “My Mom Wasn’t Really Attracted To White Guys But She Loved JJ”
- Rob Pelinka: Lakers Creating App To Help Players Learn JJ Redick’s System
- 2024 NBA Draft: Is Lakers draftee Dalton Knecht perfect for JJ Redick and LeBron James?
- Lakers News: JJ Redick’s Plan for Rui Hachimura Next Season
- Kenny Smith reacts to Lakers hiring JJ Redick
- “Went to Duke, had a lot of pressure his entire career” - Paul Geroge’s initial reaction to JJ Redick
- DeAndre Jordan reacts to JJ Redick becoming Lakers head coach