Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Lakers HC JJ Redick doesn't hold back on D'Angelo Russell's struggles

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Nov 7, 2024 3:51 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers' hot start to the season has drastically cooled off. JJ Redick's team is now 4-4 and is starting to look like the fringe contender many assumed they would be.

D'Angelo Russell saw his playing time cut during Wednesday's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He didn't take to the court for the entire fourth quarter and played a season-low 22 minutes.

During his postgame news conference, Redick told Russell to compete harder and focus on the details. The rookie head coach clarified his reasoning for Russell's limited playing time.

“Level of compete,” Redick said. “Attention to detail. Some of the things we've talked with him about a couple of weeks. At times he's been really good, other times it's just reverting to certain habits. It wasn't like a punishment, but for us to have a chance to win this game, that was the route we wanted to take. Gabe in the first half, especially defensively, was fantastic. I just wanted to see what that looked like.”

Russell, 28, is still acclimating to the style of basketball Redick wants to see from his team. The veteran guard is at his best when running an offense via high pick-and-roll, whereas Redick prefers a motion-based offense with clear, designed play calls sprinkled throughout the night.

The veteran guard's tenure with the Lakers has been tumultuous. Since returning to Los Angeles in 2022, his fit and future with the franchise have been questioned. Russell is in the final year of his current contract and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Redick was hired to oversee a project in Los Angeles. He is unlikely to feel much heat from his team's recent slide. However, if Russell doesn't up his game and rediscover his All-Star form from his time with the Brooklyn Nets, he may become one of the first casualties of the Redick era.

Change is inevitable for the Lakers. They're a considerable way off being a genuine threat in the Western Conference. Right now, everybody is auditioning for their long-term future in the franchise. Russell appears to be failing the opening act.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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