Before the 2024-25 season began, many warned rookie coach JJ Redick of the numerous challenges he'd face leading the LA Lakers, with his patience and composure sure to be tested. There was never a doubt that he would get more credit than required if he did wonders with the Purple and Gold, he would also take heat if the team failed to maintain consistency.
However, with just the opening two-week period coming to an end, the 40-year-old coach already showed signs of frustration when he openly called out D'Angelo Russell in his post-game interview for repeatedly making the same mistakes against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Reflecting on how JJ lost his composure so early in the season, Lou Williams criticized the L.A. Lakers coach's lack of patience with initial setbacks.
Williams bashes Coach JJ Redick
After losing three of their four road games, the 2020 NBA Champs were desperately seeking a win against the Grizzlies. However, with Anthony Davis ruled out due to an injury, Redick expected his role players to take the pressure off LeBron James.
Though DLo did put up 12 points, his half-hearted effort on the offensive end, shooting ill-fated long rangers, frustrated JJ to such an extent that he pulled him out of the game after merely 22 minutes.
Moreover, in his post-game interview, Redick even took subtle digs at the one-time All-Star for repeatedly committing the same mistakes, which didn't sit well with Lou Williams, who cautioned the rookie coach that the pressure would only increase as the season got deeper.
"I don't love the optics, right? 'Cause if I am a player, I've competed against this coach, by the way. It's not he's some 70-year-old guy," Williams said. "Some of these guys have competed with and against JJ Redick. So, if you're calling me out, you're storming out and this is the position you're taking when we're 4-4, what's gonna happen if we do go on a skid? What's gonna happen if we do have a misunderstanding if this is our level of communication?"
Redick's strategy to call out DLo did wonders
Russell was subsequently removed from the starting lineup against the Philadelphia 76ers, and the change seemed to spark more accountability in his play. However, kudos to the 6'3" point guard. He took the change in the right manner and contributed 18 points, accounting for over half of the Lakers' 32 bench points and earning a plus/minus rating of +13 on Friday night.
While the three-time 6MOTY might disapprove of Redick's direct approach, it's clear the message is resonating. Although calling out players publicly is a risky tactic, it appears to be effective so far - as long as it keeps the concerned player on track. However, the retired player-turned-coach will need to balance his style to avoid potentially disrupting team morale in the long run.
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