JJ Redick’s media experience is a positive for the Lakers

Media members should expect these types of responses from Redick as Lakers head coach. He understands when reporters are angling for certain narratives, and if he didn’t buy into it when he was part of the media himself, he certainly won’t as the leader in Los Angeles.

As a regular on ESPN’s debate show “First Take,” Redick wasn’t afraid to call out sports personalities for their hot takes. He famously called out Stephen A. Smith and Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo when discussing Kawhi Leonard’s injury history in April of 2023.

Earlier this year, Redick admitted that he tried to get a “First Take” topic thrown out for being too hypothetical. 

In sharp contrast, former Lakers head coach Darvin Ham had infamous interactions with the media during his tenure. Ham was criticized for admitting to reporters that he didn’t know how to stop Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

When Los Angeles center Anthony Davis said the team didn’t know what they were doing during the Nuggets series, Ham’s response was “agree to disagree.”

Fans lost confidence in the former coach because he lacked assertiveness in the media. In Los Angeles, that trait makes job security precarious.

As the most popular basketball franchise in the world and one that features LeBron James, the sport's biggest star, the Lakers require a leader who can quell distractions and promote productive narratives. 

Redick didn’t only participate in sports media the past eight years; he mastered it. While the 40-year-old is only three seasons removed from playing in the NBA with no prior high-level coaching experience, few are better equipped to handle one of the top media markets in the world.