One of this summer’s fun basketball distractions was when JJ Redick was named head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in late July.
Duke fans generally had faith in him, we think, but a lot of people weren’t sure, perhaps primarily because Redick had never coached before.
His old Duke coach, Mike Krzyzewski, thinks he’ll do well and some of his new players, notably Austin Reaves and presumably his former podcast partner LeBron James, are probably pleased.
As Redick gets things going, he has put together a staff that he refers to as “a bunch of sickos.” He’s hired former NC State star and veteran NBA coach Nate McMillan and Scotty Brooks, both of whom have done well as head coaches in the league. He’s also hired Bob Beyer, a long-time assistant coach for various NBA teams.
The rest of the staff include well-regarded young coaches like Greg St. Jean, Beau Levesque and Lindsey Harding.
Here are his extended comments from the Lakeshow Podcast.
“I’m mostly excited just to work, just being in the gym out here in this facility with the guys and our coaching staff. That’s been the best part… It’s been fascinating because you’re fitting puzzle pieces together about skillsets and personalities. I couldn’t be happier with the staff that we’ve built here, we have a blend of youth, experience. Obviously Nate (McMillan) and Scotty (Brooks), but also Bob Beyer, who has been at the front of the bench for almost two decades in the NBA. The biggest thing for me was I wanted to make sure I had a bunch of sickos on my staff and I think I’ve accomplished that. They’re grinders.”
Not everyone is buying in. Shaquille O’ Neal is not impressed with the (admittedly premature) comparison to Pat Riley, saying “No, stop it. Don’t even — no, stop it. Stop — stop it. First of all, J.J. is a nice guy. Pat Riley is the man. So, imagine you come in and f—–‘ J.J. Redick starts yellin’ at you. It’s gon’ be a f—–‘ fight in there. Players ain’t goin’ for all that yellin’ and all that screamin’ and all that extra runnin’ — next Pat Riley my a–.”
With the season now just a few weeks away, we’ll start to get a better idea of what Redick can do – and if the Lakers indeed made a wise decision.
