Lakers’ JJ Redick press convention actually drew groans throughout LeBron James remark

J.J. Redick had no earlier head teaching expertise exterior of leading his 9-year-old son’s team, however that didn’t cease the Los Angeles Lakers from giving them their head teaching job. The Lakers formally launched Redick throughout a press convention on Monday afternoon after a drawn out teaching search that included a quick infatuation with UConn’s Danny Hurley.

In the tip, Redick appeared like he was all the time the person for the job, largely due to his present relationship with LeBron James. Redick and James began the podcast “Mind the Game” earlier this yr after they would break down X’s and O’s for followers. The podcast earned widespread approval for offering an inside take a look at the mind of among the finest gamers of all-time. It didn’t, in keeping with Redick, give him a leg up for the Lakers job.

Redick was requested what recommendation James gave him throughout the Lakers teaching search. His reply? “He didn’t present any recommendation,” Redick mentioned. “LeBron and I didn’t speak in regards to the Lakers job till Thursday afternoon, about half-hour after I used to be supplied the job.”

That appears extremely tough to imagine. One individual even the room even loudly groaned as Redick mentioned it.

It’s shocking that somebody as media savvy as Redick would make that remark. It’s the kind of assertion Redick would make enjoyable of if he was nonetheless in media, and one other former participant nearer to James had mentioned it. In equity, Redick did get different teaching interviews throughout this cycle, but it surely certain seems like his present relationship with James gave him the sting within the Lakers’ search.

That wasn’t the one cringeworthy second from Redick’s press convention. At one level, high Lakers govt Rob Pelinka talked about speaking to Redick about “gameifying” participant improvement. “We’ve talked about how we translate Redick’s offensive system to an app-based or phone-based deliverable,” Pelinka mentioned. Someone actually ought to have groaned throughout that half, too.

Some followers have been questioning if Redick and James would proceed their podcast whereas main the Lakers. Obviously, that was by no means going to occur.

“I’m excommunicated from the content material area,” Redick mentioned. Somehow this was probably the most regular factor mentioned throughout this press convention.

The Lakers job is enormously tough. The Western Conference is loaded, James turns 40 years outdated this season, and the fanbase calls for excellence yearly. Making a stunning run to the Western Conference Finals as a No. 7 seed didn’t save Darvin Ham, and Redick has his work lower out for him simply to get that far.

Good luck to Redick. If James didn’t assist him land this summer season, he certain wants to assist him hold it by persevering with to remain wholesome and play like among the finest on the planet.