Questions quickly surrounded the Los Angeles Lakers when they decided to hire JJ Redick to coach the squad.
Fans had good reason to doubt the decision as Redick had no previous experience except for calling the shots for his son’s fourth-grade team. All of a sudden, Redick was given the keys to one of the most storied franchises in sports history.
Now, the Lakers have secured the third seed in the Western Conference after defeating the Houston Rockets, 140-109, on Friday. They improved to 50-31, reaching 50 wins for the first time since their championship run in the 2019-20 season.
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick reacts against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.
Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
The 40-year-old Redick, who played 15 seasons in the NBA, navigated a lot of challenges in his first year on the sideline, including the blockbuster trade that gave them Luka Doncic. While it was considered a good problem, it’s never easy to find the balance with two high-usage superstars in Doncic and LeBron James.
Rui Hachimura revealed that Redick had two goals for the season, and the rookie coach achieved them.
“He talked about it,” said Hachimura after their win over the Rockets. “Once he got hired, he told us his goal was to get 50 wins and (get the) third seed (in the Western Conference).
“Yeah, we did it. It’s a big accomplishment for us.”
The same fans who doubted Redick at the onset are now probably singing him praises. Winning changes everything, as they say. He, however, will face more pressure in the playoffs.
Last season, the Lakers got booted out of the first round by the Denver Nuggets. It was the final straw that led to the firing of then-coach Darvin Ham—which, of course, led to Redick getting the job.
He could follow in the footsteps of Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley, who guided the Lakers to the championship in his first year with the squad.
