JJ Redick’s Fiery Coaching Earns Praise Amid Lakers’ Loss

Lakers Fall Hard to Thunder, But Coach’s Intensity Shines

The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 25 points, crushed the injury-plagued Los Angeles Lakers 123-87. While the scoreboard showed a decisive loss for the Lakers, the game was marked by intense moments on the sideline, particularly involving head coach JJ Redick.

Redick’s Heated Exchange and Postgame Thoughts

Early in the second quarter, tensions boiled over between Redick and Lakers player Jarred Vanderbilt. After a substitution following a timeout, the two exchanged heated words. Redick later explained the situation calmly, stating it was a normal interaction born from the team’s need to be united and play hard, especially with a depleted roster.

“Oh, just a, you know, the confluence of things. Again, it’s, you know, not again, nothing personal with him. Um normal stuff from my end. Um you know, I think for all of us, you know, being under demand and we’ve got to scrap and claw, we’ve got to all be on the same page. We got to have be great teammates. We got to all play hard.”

Redick elaborated that he called an early timeout because a player, implied to be Vanderbilt, “didn’t do his job.” He stressed the importance of finding players who are “all in on us fighting.” He also pointed out issues with players like DeAndre Ayton struggling to catch the ball, even on plays designed for him.

Stephen A. Smith Defends Redick’s Coaching Style

On ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith strongly defended Redick’s intense approach. Smith argued that being called an “a**hole” by some is actually a compliment for Redick, meaning he doesn’t tolerate laziness or incompetence. Smith, who worked with Redick in the past, praised his ability to make players better and hold them accountable.

“The man doesn’t suffer fools. He doesn’t play. And the one thing that you’re not going to call him is a liar. Now, you might disagree with him. He might be wrong because nobody is perfect. And he is certainly an acquired taste. No doubt. I know he made me better. I know he made us better as a show.”

Smith emphasized that Redick is upfront and honest, never sugarcoating issues. He believes this directness is what the Lakers need, especially with their current roster limitations. Smith pointed out that Redick’s staff includes experienced coaches like Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks, showing the quality of the coaching team.

Player Accountability and Lakers’ Struggles

The discussion also touched on player performance. Smith and others highlighted concerns about players like DeAndre Ayton, questioning his consistency and effort, with one commentator humorously noting an “APB out for him” because his game sometimes seems to vanish. The issue of Vanderbilt missing three free throws after being fouled on a three-pointer was also brought up as a point of frustration for Redick.

Wendy, who attended the game, noted the palpable disappointment surrounding the Lakers. She observed Redick’s visible frustration from the start, even in a game where the Lakers had little chance of winning against a motivated Thunder team. She mentioned Redick’s willingness to substitute players early and often, sometimes using players who had only recently been with the G-League team.

Redick’s Demands: Results Over Comfort

Smith reiterated that Redick demands results and accountability. He drew a parallel to Michael Irvin’s famous quote, “Want your job? Give me the ball.” Smith believes Redick’s demanding nature, while not always popular, is what makes him effective and is why players like LeBron James, and the Lakers’ front office, wanted him as coach.

“He doesn’t suffer fools. He doesn’t suffer laziness. He doesn’t suffer people that ain’t going to do their jobs. He doesn’t suffer lack of accountability. That’s why LeBron wanted him. That’s why LeBron wanted him. And that’s why Genie Bus and Rob Pelinka wanted them, too.”

Despite the lopsided score, the focus remained on Redick’s coaching philosophy. Smith concluded that while Redick might be an “acquired taste” and some might view him negatively, his approach is what the Lakers need to compete, suggesting they might be worse off without his demanding style.

Source: Stephen A. says JJ Redick being called an a$$hole is a COMPLIMENT?! | First Take (YouTube)