"We mocked you for being LeBron James' podcast host": Ex-NFL star offers sincere apology to Lakers coach JJ Redick
Former NFL star Emmanuel Acho on Monday issued a sincere apology to Lakers coach JJ Redick and urged other critics to follow suit. Previously, Acho had been highly critical of the Lakers’ decision to hire Redick, but he changed his stance after seeing the former NBA sharpshooter lead the Purple and Gold to a strong 3-0 start to the season.
Acho outlined the reasons he and other analysts had initially mocked Redick, before going on to explain how the Lakers coach’s strategies and play calls have been remarkably effective so far.
"JJ Redick, on behalf of everyone who doubted you, I Emmanuel Acho say sorry for all of us," Acho said in a video on X (formerly Twitter). "I'm sorry JJ Redick, I was wrong. I think everybody else was wrong as well. JJ we mocked you for having had no coaching experience, we mocked you for being LeBron's podcast host, we mocked you because...you only got hired because of your friends."
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When the Lakers hired Redick, some in the basketball community were skeptical of the decision, as the former NBA star had no prior coaching experience at any professional level.
However, Redick has silenced his critics by leading the Lakers to wins over three strong opponents to tip off the 2024-25 season. Under his guidance, the Lakers opened with a decisive win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, followed by a thrilling 22-point comeback against the Phoenix Suns and capped it off by defeating the Sacramento Kings in their third game.
Emmanuel Acho had earlier slammed Lakers for hiring JJ Redick
Emmanuel Acho had previously criticized the Lakers for appointing JJ Redick as head coach, alleging that Redick only secured the position through connections and accusing him of bypassing essential steps.
"I can't no longer take the Lakers seriously. Not only can I not take the Lakers seriously, I am viscerally upset with this decision," Acho had said. "In life, we have been taught that hard work pays off. We've been taught that there's a process and progress to getting where you wanna get to.
"There are steps, there are building blocks. That's what we have been taught, particularly in sports, that you eat what you're killing. If you don't kill it, you ain't eating it. But with this JJ Redick hire, I'm sensing and smelling far too much cronyism. You're just getting hired because your friend is there," he added.
Redick, meanwhile, led the Lakers to their first opening night win since 2016 and also played a key role in helping Anthony Davis secure his first victory over the Sacramento Kings' Domantas Sabonis.