"JJ is amazingly competitive" - Mike Krzyzewski details reasons endorsing Lakers' hiring of JJ Redick
After letting Darvin Ham go at the end of the 2023-24 season, the LA Lakers hired JJ Redick as their new coach. Many criticized the hire, claiming Redick got the job just because of his friendship with LeBron James and didn’t have the coaching experience to lead an NBA franchise. After the Lakers drafted Bronny James 55th, the criticisms only increased.
Amid all the hullabaloo, Redick’s college coach Mike Krzyzewski listed the key factors that could help the new Lakers coach succeed in Tinseltown. Coach K knows a few things about winning as he led Duke to five national titles. Regarding Redick, he said during an appearance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” via Lakers Nation:
“For me, JJ is amazingly competitive, and is prepared as well as any player that I coached at Duke. He’s smart, he’s confident and he understands the game and having 15 years of being a pro, he has empathy for the guy trying to make it when he’s trying to make and makes it, and for the veteran who is still trying to make it.
“He was never a superstar in the NBA but he was certainly a superstar and the National Player of the Year when he played in college. So I think he has empathy for what a roster would look like. He certainly understands the pro game and he desperately wants to be a coach.”
Mike Krzyzewski continued:
“I think he’s surrounded himself up to now, I don’t know his entire staff, but with some veteran coaches which will help him. I love him. I think he’s terrific and I think he can relate to his players at the best level.”
While JJ Redick might have a lot of doubters, having someone such as Coach K support him will surely help settle his nerves. Redick proved during his ESPN stint and podcast appearances that he has a great mind for the game. If that keen eye for details transitions into a great coaching career remains to be seen.
JJ Redick is willing to play the waiting game with Bronny James
There’s no doubt that both JJ Redick and Bronny James will be highly scrutinized in the upcoming season. The coach understands that transitioning into the NBA might not be easy for LeBron James’ son and he is willing to give him a long leash. In an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio, the LA Lakers coach said:
“Bronny and I have had a number of conversations. I actually had a conversation with him yesterday after practice and, you know, he is a development player. That's how we're looking at Bronny. He's certainly going to spend time with the Lakers.”
JJ Redick will have a lot on his plate as he tries to figure out another championship run with LeBron James. Whatever happens from now on, one thing is for sure. Redick’s legacy in LA will be decided by the number of titles he wins with the Lakers, or he doesn’t.