The Los Angeles Lakers have made a bold move this summer, completely overhauling their coaching staff. In a surprising decision, the Lakers have appointed former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick as their new head coach, replacing Darvin Ham. This move signals a new direction for the franchise, one focused on innovation and player development.
Redick, who transitions to the sidelines after an illustrious playing career and a promising stint in sports media, has no prior coaching experience. This lack of experience, however, does not seem to deter the confidence from the Lakers' management. "We wanted to kind of think a different way. Really, he's got a vision," said Jeanie Buss, the Lakers' president. "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."
Redick is not alone in his new endeavor. The Lakers have stacked his bench with seasoned professionals, naming veteran assistants Scotty Brooks, Nate McMillan, and Lindsey Harding to support him. Buss expressed confidence in the assembled team: "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."
A Calculated Approach
Under Darvin Ham, the Lakers exhibited some commendable statistics but also fell short in key areas. Last season, the Lakers ranked fourth in post-up possessions per game with an average of 7.3. However, their 3-point attempts per game were disappointingly low, placing them 28th in the league with only 31.4 attempts. Offensive rebounding also remained a weak point, as they finished 29th with a rebounding rate of 24.4. Overall, the Lakers landed mid-table in offensive rating, sitting at 15th with a rating of 115.4.
JJ Redick plans to address these deficiencies by modernizing the Lakers' approach. "I'm going to use math," Redick boldly declared, hinting at a data-driven strategy. The former player is set on increasing the team's 3-point attempts and improving their offensive rebounding. His vision is to run more organized offensive sets, leveraging analytics to maximize performance.
A Focus on Culture and Development
One of Redick's primary objectives is to cultivate a positive team culture, emphasizing the importance of enjoyment in the pursuit of greatness. "The pursuit of greatness can't be miserable. Every day that somebody walks in this building, they have to enjoy it," he stated. "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 is committed to making player development the cornerstone of his coaching ethos. The presence of experienced assistants like McMillan and Brooks is expected to play a crucial role in this developmental focus, providing the necessary guidance and support to bring out the best in the young talent on the roster.
A New Era for the Lakers
As the Lakers move into this new chapter, the eyes of fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching how Redick adapts to his new role. The combination of his fresh perspective and the experienced staff by his side offers a unique blend of innovation and wisdom. While expectations are tempered with a realistic understanding of the challenges ahead, there is a palpable sense of optimism permeating through the organization's corridors.
Jeanie Buss's decision to entrust Redick with this significant responsibility reflects a willingness to embrace change and take calculated risks. As Redick himself pointedly said, "The pursuit of greatness can't be miserable." It's clear that both on and off the court, the Lakers are gearing up for a transformative journey, aiming to not only maximize their potential but also do so in a way that fosters enjoyment and a strong team culture.