The Los Angeles Lakers recently hired JJ Redick as their new head coach, a decision that has caused much debate in the basketball world. After the Denver Nuggets eliminated the Lakers in the first round of the 2024 playoffs and the team fired coach Darvin Ham, they named Redick the 29th head coach in the team’s history. Former NBA player Steve Francis is one of the most vocal critics of the Lakers’ decision to hire Redick as head coach.
Speaking on the Live From The District podcast, Francis disagrees with the choice, claiming the Lakers ignored more experienced candidates in favor of someone popular. “I love basketball, but there’s no way that just because he went to Duke, and he criticizes people on television, that he sounds like a great coach,” Francis said.
He pointed out that coaches like David Vanterpool and Sam Cassell, who have significant championship experience, were overlooked. “All these guys who have experience get looked over just because it’s the ‘it’ thing right now with generation ’cause all these guys are doing these podcasts,” he added.
Redick is well-known for his podcasts, including The Old Man and the Three, which has over a million subscribers, and a podcast with LeBron James. However, he has never coached at any level. Steve Francis questioned whether Redick could earn the respect of established stars like LeBron James.
“When it comes down to it, will LeBron heed JJ’s advice? I doubt it. If I were in LeBron’s shoes, I would question what he’s saying based on his limited coaching background,” he said.
Another Former NBA Player Shares Concern On JJ Redick As Lakers Head Coach
Another former NBA player, Lou Williams, shared similar concerns, stating that while Redick might be good at analyzing the game, coaching requires different skills. “There is no chance that JJ Redick is going to be able to command that locker room. Yeah, him and LeBron can sit there, drink wine together, and break down plays, but it’s a little different when you got 20,000 people screaming at you,” Williams commented.
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The Lakers have started their preseason with a record of 1-2, and there are doubts about Redick’s ability to lead the team under pressure. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss defended the decision, saying that Redick brings a new perspective and focuses on developing young players. “We wanted to kind of think a different way… JJ is the right person for us,” she stated, showing her belief in Redick despite his lack of coaching experience.
While Redick will have experienced coaches like Nate McMillan and Scotty Brooks on his staff to help him, the challenges of moving from player to coach are significant. The Lakers are entering a crucial season, especially with LeBron James’s career nearing its end. With high expectations, only time will tell if the Lakers’ choice of Redick will be successful or create problems in the locker room.
Also Read: Why The Los Angeles Lakers May Struggle To Compete For The NBA Championship This Season
