As the Los Angeles Lakers gear up for the upcoming NBA season, the organization has made a series of bold moves that signal a shift in direction. This summer, the Lakers completely revamped their coaching staff, headlined by the hiring of JJ Redick as the new head coach, replacing Darvin Ham.
Despite Redick's lack of prior coaching experience, Lakers' president Jeanie Buss believes he possesses the vision necessary to lead the team into a new era. "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," Buss explained. "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."
Redick transitions to coaching after a celebrated playing career and a promising stint in sports media. To support him in his new role, the Lakers have brought on veteran assistants Scotty Brooks, Nate McMillan, and Lindsey Harding. Buss has expressed confidence in the new coaching staff's ability to complement Redick's leadership. "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 said.
Under Darvin Ham's leadership last season, the Lakers finished fourth in post-up possessions per game (7.3), but their standing in other key areas left much to be desired. The team ranked 28th in 3-point attempts per game (31.4), 29th in offensive rebounding rate (24.4), and managed a mid-tier 15th in offensive rating (115.4). These statistics underline the significant areas Redick will need to focus on to resurrect the Lakers' offensive game.
Redick has plans to address these issues head-on. "I'm going to use math," Redick straightforwardly stated, signaling a shift towards a more analytical approach to the game. He aims to increase the team's 3-point attempts, improve offensive rebounding, and implement more organized offensive sets. But Redick's vision extends beyond just the X's and O's.
"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 explained.
One of the cornerstones of Redick's coaching ethos is player development, a focus that aligns well with Buss's own vision for the team. The move towards a younger roster with a focus on development has been a key part of the Lakers' strategy in recent years, and Redick's appointment reaffirms that commitment.
With the Lakers undergoing such substantial changes, the upcoming season will undoubtedly be one of adaptation and evolution. The franchise's success will hinge on how quickly Redick can instill his vision and how effectively he can transform his players' potential into on-court success. While the transition from player to coach is rarely seamless, Redick's wealth of experience and fresh perspective could give the Lakers the new direction they sorely need.
Only time will tell if these bold changes will bear fruit, but the air in Los Angeles brims with cautious optimism. In the end, Redick's unconventional approach and focus on creating a positive team culture might just be the spark that reignites the Lakers' championship aspirations.