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JJ Redick Shares Details on Lakers' Defensive Adjustments

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Christian Alamodin | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 1:30 AM ET

There's no question about the Los Angeles Lakers' offensive prowess. When a coach like JJ Redick has LeBron James and Luka Doncic on his roster, it's easy to have a 116.0 offensive rating in an offense-minded league.

However, the team's defense has kept them at fifth in a crowded Western Conference with a 33-21 record. Their defensive efficiency currently sits at 116.6, making them 23rd in the league. The Denver Nuggets are the only team in the West's top six that are worse in this category (116.9).

Their most efficient defensive lineup that has played at least ten games consist of Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura at 100.6, but there's no way Redick would leave King James off the floor in late-game situations.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) with head coach JJ Redick© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Redick used the leadup to the All-Star break to introduce a new zone defensive scheme to the Purple and Gold, and he explained how the team will approach games defensively moving forward.

JJ Redick Reveals Reason for Lakers' Transition to More Zone Defense

California Post's Khobi Price posted a video of the second-year Lakers head coach talking about the defensive schemes he's implementing to bring the team's defensive efficiency up.

"It starts with our defense and just eating up some clock," Redick told reporters during team practice. "We did a bunch of stuff with our analytics group."

The Lakers had an uptick in playing zone defense in their 14 games leading into the All-Star break.

JJ Redick on why LAL's zone has been effective: "It starts with setting our defense and just eating up some clock..we did a bunch of stuff with our analytics group. It's not like… pic.twitter.com/Hex1AeXW1h
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) February 19, 2026

He also emphasized that while the zone has been effective in stopping their opponents, they will not be solely relying on it to win.

"It's been a good tool for us," Redick said of the zone. "We recognize that we're gonna have to play man at points, we're gonna have to play fifteen at points and switch one through five… With this group, it's not gonna be one thing. We've got to continue to be adaptable and search for the right answer in the middle of the game."

The Lakers' first game after the All-Star break will be against the neighboring LA Clippers. The Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, and Phoenix Suns are also in the team's immediate future.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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