How JJ Redick turned around the Lakers in his first season!
IS JJ REDICK THE ANSWER FOR LAKERS?
- The Lakers' Struggle: A team in Despair
The Los Angeles Lakers were the champions of the 2019-2020 season, but since then, they haven’t returned to the NBA Finals. So, what went wrong? How did a championship-winning team go from dominating to struggling just to make the playoffs?
There are several factors that contributed to the Lakers' downfall, but the most significant one was the constant turnover of head coaches. Frank Vogel was at the helm when the Lakers won the championship, but the very next season, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round. The following year, they failed to even make the Play-In Tournament, ranking 21st in defense and 22nd in offense.
The front office did their research and decided to make a change, hiring Darvin Ham as the new head coach. While Ham addressed the issues surrounding Russell Westbrook and made a strong initial impact, he often came across more as a mentor or advisor than a head coach. Now, I’m not a Darvin Ham hater, but let me offer a perspective that might make you reconsider.
When Ham joined the Lakers, he had no head coaching experience at the NBA level—none. He had served as an assistant coach but had never been in charge of an NBA team. As the seasons went on, the Lakers won some games, but they never quite found the rhythm of a consistent, winning team. Though they made the playoffs in both seasons under Ham, it was more due to the roster's health than any tactical brilliance from him or his coaching staff. Despite a relatively healthy roster in both seasons, the Lakers’ win totals only improved by four games compared to Frank Vogel’s tenure. In the 2022-23 season, the Lakers ranked 18th in offense and 17th in defense, while in the following season, they were ranked 13th defensively and 15th offensively. There wasn’t much of a noticeable improvement in team performance compared to when Vogel was coaching.
While the players publicly supported Ham, you could sense the growing frustration as they often seemed lost on both ends of the floor. After another first-round exit and a tough series loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers decided to part ways with Ham and search for a new head coach.
- Enter JJ Redick: The unexpected Savior
Now, out of all the people the Lakers management could have chosen, how did they end up picking someone with no head coaching experience again?When the decision was made, a wave of mixed emotions hit Lakers fans (myself included). Was this the right call? Were we setting ourselves up for another Ham-like situation? Little did we know that JJ Redick, as head coach, would transform the team into the Lakers we’d been hoping for in recent years.
JJ Redick played 15 seasons as a shooting guard, with an impressive career 3-point shooting percentage of around 41%. If you’ve ever watched JJ play, you’d know he was always looking to make plays, often elevating the team’s effort on the offensive end of the floor. He’s known for his high basketball IQ, and interestingly enough, he’s a close friend of LeBron, having co-hosted a podcast called "Mind the Game." On the podcast, they would break down plays from some of their most iconic moments, and now, Redick is drawing up plays for LeBron on the same team, helping them win. Funny how life works, right?
JJ has always been driven by a desire to win, never playing just for the sake of the game, and that's exactly what the Lakers needed in a head coach after the struggles of recent seasons. The team needed someone with a winning mindset—someone who wasn’t afraid to call players out when necessary. And that’s exactly what Redick has brought to the table.
- Change in Philosophy: Transforming the Offense
In previous seasons, the Lakers struggled due to poor offensive execution and rotation mistakes made by Coach Ham. These two issues put the team at a disadvantage in nearly every game, and opposing teams quickly picked up on it, leading to a diminished perception of the Lakers as a threat.
The old Lakers offense relied heavily on isolation plays, with LeBron and AD often being the focal points. Opponents recognized this pattern, and their defenses were able to lock down on the Lakers, leading to blowout losses. The lack of shooters around them resulted in a more stagnant, slower style of play.
Now, if you watch any recent Lakers game, you'll notice a dramatic shift in their offensive strategy, thanks to JJ Redick. His high basketball IQ and game awareness have brought about a major change. The Lakers have adopted a "spread the floor" approach, using the three-point line as a weapon. Redick’s off-ball screens and quick release have helped create a faster, more dynamic offense, taking some of the pressure off LeBron and allowing the team to score more efficiently.
As the Lakers’ offense improved, role players like Dalton Knecht and Austin Reaves also found their rhythm. The same team that once struggled to score is now playing the level of basketball, they should have been all along. Both Austin and Dalton have gained more confidence in their roles, becoming two of the most dangerous players on the team who can take on anyone on any given night. In fact, Austin and Dalton almost led the Lakers to a win against Nuggets—without Luka and LeBron, mind you!
Another key change for the Lakers has been their ability to run more pick-and-roll plays. In past seasons, pick-and-rolls mainly revolved around LeBron and AD, but poor spacing often hindered their success, as defenses could clog the paint and limit AD’s scoring opportunities. Since JJ Redick stepped in as head coach, the Lakers have shifted their focus to taking high-efficiency shots. The impact JJ has made on this team is remarkable—they’re now prioritizing 3-pointers and layups while consistently creating opportunities for high-percentage scoring chances.
- A Changed Team: The Lakers find their rhythm
Since Redick’s arrival, LeBron and AD were able to play with more freedom. LeBron has found it easier to drive to the basket with less resistance, and the Center has been able to dominate the paint much more effectively than before. It seems like the Lakers are finally figuring out their offense and have started climbing the standings, solidifying their playoff spot. Currently sitting 5th in the Western Conference with a .642 winning percentage, they’re ranked 10th in offensive ratings and 16th in defensive ratings—arguably their best performance in the last three seasons. Combining their offensive and defensive strengths, they’ve become a formidable team, ranked 5th overall and a threat to any contender on any given day.
One significant change since JJ's arrival is the improvement in the Lakers’ 3-point shooting. Their shooting percentage has risen from 33.6% last season to 37.5% this year. But JJ’s impact goes beyond just the stats—he’s become a vocal leader both in the locker room and on the court. His veteran experience proves invaluable, especially when reading plays in high-pressure situations. Under Darvin Ham, the Lakers often faltered in crunch time, but JJ’s leadership has brought a new level of poise to the team.
- The Lakers’ 2024 Playoff Push: Redick as a Key Contributor
Redick’s Lakers have remained calm and composed throughout the regular season, but the real question is whether they have what it takes to go all the way. While regular season games matter, the playoffs are an entirely different challenge where the smallest details about opponents can be the key to winning a championship.
This year, the Lakers seem to be more focused on the playoffs after enduring some tough losses over the past few seasons. Their offense is capable of dominating most teams, but in the playoffs, it’s all about who can stay composed under pressure. This is where JJ Redick comes into play. We’ve seen what playoff LeBron and playoff Luka can accomplish when they lock in, and this duo could very well lead the Lakers to the Finals after a lengthy drought. But it’s Redick who will be crucial in creating space on the court, allowing Luka to unleash his deadly shooting. With Luka emerging as the next superstar in LA and LeBron in the final stretch of his career, the Redick-Luka partnership seems set to continue for a while.
Can the Lakers handle the Nuggets or Oklahoma City in the first round? Do they have what it takes to become champions? With these questions in mind, the 2024-25 season is shaping up to be more competitive and exciting than ever for fans. So, grab your popcorn and get ready for an intense playoff run!
The Los Angeles Lakers were the champions of the 2019-2020 season, but since then, they haven’t returned to the NBA Finals. So, what went wrong? How did a championship-winning team go from dominating to struggling just to make the playoffs?
There are several factors that contributed to the Lakers' downfall, but the most significant one was the constant turnover of head coaches. Frank Vogel was at the helm when the Lakers won the championship, but the very next season, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round. The following year, they failed to even make the Play-In Tournament, ranking 21st in defense and 22nd in offense.
The front office did their research and decided to make a change, hiring Darvin Ham as the new head coach. While Ham addressed the issues surrounding Russell Westbrook and made a strong initial impact, he often came across more as a mentor or advisor than a head coach. Now, I’m not a Darvin Ham hater, but let me offer a perspective that might make you reconsider.
When Ham joined the Lakers, he had no head coaching experience at the NBA level—none. He had served as an assistant coach but had never been in charge of an NBA team. As the seasons went on, the Lakers won some games, but they never quite found the rhythm of a consistent, winning team. Though they made the playoffs in both seasons under Ham, it was more due to the roster's health than any tactical brilliance from him or his coaching staff. Despite a relatively healthy roster in both seasons, the Lakers’ win totals only improved by four games compared to Frank Vogel’s tenure. In the 2022-23 season, the Lakers ranked 18th in offense and 17th in defense, while in the following season, they were ranked 13th defensively and 15th offensively. There wasn’t much of a noticeable improvement in team performance compared to when Vogel was coaching.
While the players publicly supported Ham, you could sense the growing frustration as they often seemed lost on both ends of the floor. After another first-round exit and a tough series loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers decided to part ways with Ham and search for a new head coach.
Now, out of all the people the Lakers management could have chosen, how did they end up picking someone with no head coaching experience again?
When the decision was made, a wave of mixed emotions hit Lakers fans (myself included). Was this the right call? Were we setting ourselves up for another Ham-like situation? Little did we know that JJ Redick, as head coach, would transform the team into the Lakers we’d been hoping for in recent years.
JJ Redick played 15 seasons as a shooting guard, with an impressive career 3-point shooting percentage of around 41%. If you’ve ever watched JJ play, you’d know he was always looking to make plays, often elevating the team’s effort on the offensive end of the floor. He’s known for his high basketball IQ, and interestingly enough, he’s a close friend of LeBron, having co-hosted a podcast called "Mind the Game." On the podcast, they would break down plays from some of their most iconic moments, and now, Redick is drawing up plays for LeBron on the same team, helping them win. Funny how life works, right?
JJ has always been driven by a desire to win, never playing just for the sake of the game, and that's exactly what the Lakers needed in a head coach after the struggles of recent seasons. The team needed someone with a winning mindset—someone who wasn’t afraid to call players out when necessary. And that’s exactly what Redick has brought to the table.
In previous seasons, the Lakers struggled due to poor offensive execution and rotation mistakes made by Coach Ham. These two issues put the team at a disadvantage in nearly every game, and opposing teams quickly picked up on it, leading to a diminished perception of the Lakers as a threat.
The old Lakers offense relied heavily on isolation plays, with LeBron and AD often being the focal points. Opponents recognized this pattern, and their defenses were able to lock down on the Lakers, leading to blowout losses. The lack of shooters around them resulted in a more stagnant, slower style of play.
Now, if you watch any recent Lakers game, you'll notice a dramatic shift in their offensive strategy, thanks to JJ Redick. His high basketball IQ and game awareness have brought about a major change. The Lakers have adopted a "spread the floor" approach, using the three-point line as a weapon. Redick’s off-ball screens and quick release have helped create a faster, more dynamic offense, taking some of the pressure off LeBron and allowing the team to score more efficiently.
As the Lakers’ offense improved, role players like Dalton Knecht and Austin Reaves also found their rhythm. The same team that once struggled to score is now playing the level of basketball, they should have been all along. Both Austin and Dalton have gained more confidence in their roles, becoming two of the most dangerous players on the team who can take on anyone on any given night. In fact, Austin and Dalton almost led the Lakers to a win against Nuggets—without Luka and LeBron, mind you!
Another key change for the Lakers has been their ability to run more pick-and-roll plays. In past seasons, pick-and-rolls mainly revolved around LeBron and AD, but poor spacing often hindered their success, as defenses could clog the paint and limit AD’s scoring opportunities. Since JJ Redick stepped in as head coach, the Lakers have shifted their focus to taking high-efficiency shots. The impact JJ has made on this team is remarkable—they’re now prioritizing 3-pointers and layups while consistently creating opportunities for high-percentage scoring chances.
Since Redick’s arrival, LeBron and AD were able to play with more freedom. LeBron has found it easier to drive to the basket with less resistance, and the Center has been able to dominate the paint much more effectively than before. It seems like the Lakers are finally figuring out their offense and have started climbing the standings, solidifying their playoff spot. Currently sitting 5th in the Western Conference with a .642 winning percentage, they’re ranked 10th in offensive ratings and 16th in defensive ratings—arguably their best performance in the last three seasons. Combining their offensive and defensive strengths, they’ve become a formidable team, ranked 5th overall and a threat to any contender on any given day.
One significant change since JJ's arrival is the improvement in the Lakers’ 3-point shooting. Their shooting percentage has risen from 33.6% last season to 37.5% this year. But JJ’s impact goes beyond just the stats—he’s become a vocal leader both in the locker room and on the court. His veteran experience proves invaluable, especially when reading plays in high-pressure situations. Under Darvin Ham, the Lakers often faltered in crunch time, but JJ’s leadership has brought a new level of poise to the team.
Redick’s Lakers have remained calm and composed throughout the regular season, but the real question is whether they have what it takes to go all the way. While regular season games matter, the playoffs are an entirely different challenge where the smallest details about opponents can be the key to winning a championship.
This year, the Lakers seem to be more focused on the playoffs after enduring some tough losses over the past few seasons. Their offense is capable of dominating most teams, but in the playoffs, it’s all about who can stay composed under pressure. This is where JJ Redick comes into play. We’ve seen what playoff LeBron and playoff Luka can accomplish when they lock in, and this duo could very well lead the Lakers to the Finals after a lengthy drought. But it’s Redick who will be crucial in creating space on the court, allowing Luka to unleash his deadly shooting. With Luka emerging as the next superstar in LA and LeBron in the final stretch of his career, the Redick-Luka partnership seems set to continue for a while.
Can the Lakers handle the Nuggets or Oklahoma City in the first round? Do they have what it takes to become champions? With these questions in mind, the 2024-25 season is shaping up to be more competitive and exciting than ever for fans. So, grab your popcorn and get ready for an intense playoff run!
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