The Los Angeles Lakers have undergone a significant transformation, overhauling their entire coaching staff this summer. In a bold move signaling a new direction, the organization has chosen to replace Darvin Ham with JJ Redick as the new head coach. This decision, guided by Lakers' president Jeanie Buss, has raised eyebrows, particularly given Redick's lack of prior coaching experience.
Redick transitions into this role after a celebrated playing career and a notable stint in sports media. Despite the absence of coaching experience, Buss underscored Redick's unique vision and commitment to player development. "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," said Buss. She also emphasized patience, urging fans and stakeholders to give Redick time to establish his coaching philosophy.
A New Coaching Staff
Joining Redick on the bench will be a trio of seasoned veteran assistants: Scotty Brooks, Nate McMillan, and Lindsey Harding. This experienced support system is expected to help Redick acclimate to the demands of an NBA head coach. Buss expressed her confidence in the new setup, stating, "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."
Challenges Ahead
Redick inherits a team that, under Ham, had varying degrees of success in different areas. Last season, the Lakers were fourth in post-up possessions per game (7.3) but lagged significantly in other key metrics. They were 28th in 3-point attempts per game (31.4) and 29th in offensive rebounding rate (24.4), eventually finishing the season 15th in offensive rating (115.4). Redick plans to address these deficiencies head-on, aiming to increase the team's 3-point attempts and improve their offensive rebounding.
A Fresh Perspective
One of the cornerstones of Redick's coaching ethos is the implementation of more organized offensive sets and a strong emphasis on player development. Redick's philosophy is deeply rooted in creating a positive team culture. He acknowledges the importance of enjoyment in the pursuit of excellence. "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.
An Analytical Approach
Redick's strategy doesn't stop at just fostering a good environment. He plans to apply analytical rigor to his coaching methods, signaling an embrace of modern basketball trends. "I'm going to use math," he succinctly stated, hinting at a data-driven approach to improving team performance. Such a mindset could revolutionize the Lakers' gameplay, potentially transforming them into a more dynamic and statistically savvy team.
As the Lakers embark on this new journey with Redick at the helm, the organization and its supporters are hopeful yet cautious. The early days will be crucial for Redick to implement his vision and to see how well his philosophies translate from theory to practice. With a solid support staff and a fresh perspective, there’s cautious optimism that the Lakers can rise to new heights under their new coach's guidance.