The Los Angeles Lakers will be in for another interesting season with a new head coach at the helm. Most know that J.J. Redick will be calling the shots for the Purple and Gold in the 2024-25 campaign. Or will he?
It is no secret that most still see LeBron James having his way. Most opine that “The King” had something to do with Redick’s hiring, even if the 11th overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft denies it.
Regardless of what transpired, J.J. will have his work cut out for him. Taking on his first head coaching job in the NBA, he will need to find a way to turn things around for the prestigious franchise immediately. But to make that happen, the Duke product needs to win the trust of his players.
Winning the respect
Someone who believes this will be a huge challenge for J.J. is the Lakers’ legendary center Shaquille O’Neal. “The Diesel” didn’t mince words and claimed that winning the respect of other players like Anthony Davis would be the Tennessee native’s true test.
“You have LeBron’s respect, what about the other guys? That’s going to be the test,” Shaq said when he spoke on “The Big Podcast with Shaq.”
O’Neal went on to point out that Redick’s tenure will not be easy. Being the veteran he is, Shaq gave his honest take on what would happen if he were still playing at present.
“I don’t think I could play for a guy who I just played against four or five years ago. I don’t think I can do it,” the four-time NBA champion quipped.
O’Neal setting the bar high for the Lakers coaching job is understandable. He went through different coaches and hints that a veteran coach would have been better. He admits being surprised that the Lakers opted for Redick over someone like Sam Cassell.
“No disrespect to JJ, but I think Sam should also be able to get the same looks,” Shaq added.
Why Redick might succeed
While many pundits doubt Redick’s chances of success, one person believes he has what it takes to make it. Veteran journalist Roland Lazenby compared Redick to Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, highlighting how both ground out and survived in the NBA during their playing careers during an interview with Sports Bytes Philippines.
“They had to study everything. All the little detail of the game. That’s what J.J. brings to the Lakers. The other big thing, Phil Jackson knew this, basketball is relationships…It is relationships, it is the hierarchy in the locker room,” the renowned book author stated.
However, Lakers fans may see some improvements, but this does not necessarily guarantee a championship. Lazenby feels that those who expect the Purple and Gold to reap success for the coming season are not very realistic.
“Anybody who thinks the Lakers should be a favorite to win any championship this season, well, they’re not very realistic. What the Lakers do have a chance to do is to be really good and to have a great year perhaps,” he added.
It will be an interesting season for the Lakers with the young coach at the helm. J.J. will have a lot of work to do to prove doubters wrong. And that all starts by earning the respect of all his players for the coming season.
