Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

JJ Redick is built to coach stars

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Mar 11, 2025 10:46 AM ET

JJ Redick took an unusual path toward becoming an NBA head coach. He didn't serve as an assistant on a team's staff, nor did he work in a front office. Instead, he worked as a podcaster and media member. As such, Redick entered his first NBA head-coaching job under significant scrutiny.

Yet, Redick is quickly proving he deserves to be leading a team in the NBA. Furthermore, he's thriving as the head coach of arguably the most pressure-filled job in professional sports. Redick has found a way to command a locker room full of elite talent, and the results have begun to manifest onto the court.

On Monday, the Lakers dropped a game to the Brooklyn Nets, 111-108. Rather than look for excuses, Redick held his team accountable during his postgame news conference.

"We just wanted to take shortcuts," Redick stated. "Just shortcuts. You want to be a good team in the NBA? Want to win? You have to do the hard stuff."

JJ Redick said it was a “low-level communication game” for the Lakers. He said that being shorthanded isn’t an excuse.

“We just wanted to take shortcuts,” Redick said. “… Just shortcuts. You want to be a good team in the NBA? Want to win? You have to do the hard stuff.”
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 11, 2025

Redick is coaching the Lakers hard. He doesn't accept a lack of effort and holds everyone accountable, regardless of their reputation or resume. When you're leading a locker room as deeply talented as the one in Los Angeles, doing so with a fair but firm mentality is the best approach to get everyone on board.

As a former player who was recently still suiting up in the league, Redick knows what does and doesn't resonate with players. He understands how to light a fire without letting the flame engulf its surroundings. He was made to be a head coach, specifically one on a team full of stars. We've already seen how quickly he's figured out ways to pair LeBron James and Luka Doncic together.

The Lakers appear to have found their coach of the future. If Redick can hold himself to the same standard he does his players, his improvements in the coming years could be part of the dynasty GM Rob Pelinka is trying to build. The Lakers front office took a dice roll, and it would appear they're walking away as winners right now.

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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