After a month of uncertainty and rumors, the Los Angeles Lakers have finally secured their head coach and introduced him at a press conference. The Lakers opted for a high-profile name within their brand, selecting former NBA player JJ Redick despite his lack of coaching experience.
Meanwhile, during his debut as the Lakers’ head coach, Redick kept things light-hearted, cracking jokes during the introductory press conference.
“I have never coached in the NBA before. I don’t know if you guys have heard that,” Redick said.
The Lakers parted ways with their previous coach, Darvin Ham, at the end of the last season. They initially extended an offer to UConn’s Dan Hurley, proposing a six-year, $70 million contract. However, Hurley declined the offer to stay with UConn.
Rumors had already positioned Redick as a strong contender, but his appointment was seemingly solidified after Hurley’s decision. It was reported last week that Redick would sign a four-year deal to join the Lakers.
Redick Prioritizes Lakers’ Success Over Addressing Misconceptions
JJ Redick did not shy away from acknowledging his limited coaching experience, but he expressed strong confidence in his potential as a head coach. During his introductory press conference, he faced questions about if he wanted to address any misconceptions about himself or his hiring. The new Lakers head coach gave a brutally honest response to his critics.
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“It’s a valid question. And I’ve certainly heard everything. It’s been a really interesting six weeks or so, just in terms of being a part of the engagement farming industry, it’s been really interesting. However, I don’t really have a great answer to your question because I really don’t give a f—,” Redick said.
The former NBA analyst also clarified that his primary focus is on his new role and not on silencing his doubters.
“I want to coach the Lakers; I want to coach the team. I don’t want to dispel anything. I want to become a great coach in the NBA, and I want to win championships. And I want my players to maximize their careers. That’s all I f–king care about,” he added.
