Los Angeles Lakers Overhaul Coaching Staff, Welcome JJ Redick as Head Coach
In a move that has sent ripples through the NBA community, the Los Angeles Lakers have undertaken a comprehensive overhaul of their coaching staff this summer. Analytic-savvy former player JJ Redick has been appointed head coach, replacing Darvin Ham, who led the team through a season marked by mixed offensive metrics.
Redick, celebrated for both his stellar playing career and his insightful stint in sports media, steps into this coaching role with no prior experience on the sidelines. Despite the lack of coaching credentials, Lakers President Jeanie Buss is confident in Redick's vision and potential. "We wanted to kind of think a different way. Really, he's got a vision. I'm not comfortable talking about the basketball stuff, but we were looking for a candidate that would bring something different and really invest in developing young players. JJ is the right person for us," Buss stated.
Redick’s arrival brings not just a fresh face but a revamped staff filled with seasoned NBA minds. Veteran assistants such as Scotty Brooks, Nate McMillan, and Lindsey Harding will be joining Redick on the bench, providing a wealth of experience and knowledge. Buss elaborated on the impact of the new team, saying, "I'm really impressed with his staff. The coaching staff with Nate McMillan and Scotty Brooks, there's a lot of experience that will be there for him to make that adjustment to being a head coach."
The Lakers’ previous season under Ham highlighted key areas that required improvement. The team was fourth in post-up possessions per game (7.3) but lagged significantly in 3-point attempts per game, ranking 28th (31.4). Moreover, they struggled in offensive rebounding, standing at 29th in rate (24.4) and finished 15th in offensive rating (115.4). Redick has clear plans to address these shortcomings. He aims to boost the team's 3-point shooting, enhance offensive rebounding, and introduce more structured offensive sets. "I'm going to use math," Redick remarked, hinting at a data-driven approach to elevating the Lakers' performance.
Player development stands at the core of Redick's coaching philosophy. His ethos reflects a balanced approach to achieving excellence while ensuring a positive team environment. "The pursuit of greatness can't be miserable. Every day that somebody walks in this building, they have to enjoy it," he said. "I think part of being a coach, right, is, like, 'Can I maximize each player?' That helps maximize the group. And does everybody in the building, not just the players and staff, does everybody in the building enjoy coming to work every day? That's sort of on me to create that culture."
Redick's tenure with the Lakers will undoubtedly be one to watch. With the combination of his fresh perspective and the seasoned expertise of his assistant coaches, the Lakers are poised for a dynamic transformation. As the team gears up for the upcoming season, the atmosphere around the Lakers' organization is one of cautious optimism and anticipation. Jeanie Buss perhaps sums it up best: "Again, I just want the work to really speak for itself, so I don't want to hype it and say it's gonna be a home run. We have to give him time to establish what he wants to establish."
While the coming season will put Redick's strategies and vision to the test, the Lakers' decision reflects a broader trend in professional sports—trusting former players with the acumen for the game and potential for leadership to transition into coaching roles. It’s a melding of practical experience and innovative thinking that the Lakers hope will propel them to new heights.