A New Era: Lakers Appoint JJ Redick as Head Coach
The Los Angeles Lakers are ringing in a new era by completely revamping their coaching staff this summer. In a bold move, they decided to replace Darvin Ham with JJ Redick as the head coach. Redick, who has no prior coaching experience, embarks on this journey following a celebrated playing career and a promising stint in sports media.
A Bold Decision by Jeanie Buss
Jeanie Buss, the Lakers' president, explained the rationale behind the decision. "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. Again, I just want to 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," Buss stated.
Coaching Staff to Support Redick
Veteran assistants Scotty Brooks, Nate McMillan, and Lindsey Harding will join Redick on the bench, bringing a wealth of experience to help ease Redick’s transition into his new role. Buss is optimistic about this supportive environment. "I'm really impressed with his staff. Right now, it's not mandatory for the players to come in and practice, but players are coming in and working out. 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. Certainly, a 12-year career in the league, he's got a lot of experience. He knows what this league is about, and I think he'll be a great leader," she added.
Shifting Strategy and Philosophy
Under Darvin Ham, the Lakers displayed promising aspects but also glaring weaknesses. They were fourth in post-up possessions per game last season (7.3), yet ranked 28th in 3-point attempts per game (31.4) and 29th in offensive rebounding rate (24.4). Despite these challenges, the team managed to finish 15th in offensive rating (115.4).
Redick plans to shift these dynamics significantly. He aims to increase the team’s 3-point attempts, improve offensive rebounding, and run more organized offensive sets. "I'm going to use math," Redick quipped, alluding to a data-driven approach to coaching.
Creating a Positive Team Culture
Player development will be a cornerstone of Redick's coaching ethos. He is determined to create a positive team culture focused on maximizing each player’s potential and ensuring everyone enjoys coming to work every day. "The pursuit of greatness can't be miserable. Every day that somebody walks in this building, they have to enjoy it. 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 emphasized.
A New Chapter Begins
As the Lakers embark on this new chapter, the expectations are high and the stakes even higher. Redick's vision and the supportive environment set by the veteran coaching staff will be pivotal in shaping the Lakers' future. With a fresh perspective and a commitment to a positive culture, Redick is set to make his mark in this inaugural coaching role. Only time will tell how his strategies and philosophies translate on the court, but the optimism surrounding his appointment is palpable.