Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has done an outstanding job since being hired, leading the team to back-to-back 50 win seasons and Pacific Division titles, while also winning a playoff series last season. He has also built a strong coaching staff that has played a big role in his success.
One of those assistant coaches is a fellow Duke alum in Lindsey Harding. And Harding had nothing but praise for Redick in how he handles everything that comes with being a head coach in the NBA.
“He does not move with an ego.” Harding said in an appearance on the Road Trippin podcast. “If you are a video person and have a great idea, ‘Let’s hear it!’ I had an opportunity to coach Summer League. Something I wanted to do, he gave me that opportunity. When he gives you a task, he trusts that you’re gonna do it and he supports you.
“And why I say the no ego, if he messes up or wish he made a different decision, he will say it. There’s no trying to hide it, it’s ‘My bad. I’m gonna do better.’ He’s amazing. Super intelligent, understands the game and I think the biggest thing is he’s a people person. Good with people, managing people. That’s huge in this space. You can be a great coach, but there’s a lot of different personalities. He’s really good at that and he gets a lot of respect because he’s JJ Redick and he’s done it on the floor.”
As Harding noted, being a great with Xs and Os is nice, but managing personalities is extremely important in succeeding as a head coach and Redick is excellent with that. The fact that he takes accountability when he makes mistakes allows him to maintain that respect amongst players and coaches. He is known to be very straightforward and intense with his communication, but isn’t afraid to hold himself to those same standards.
For someone with no coaching experience when he was hired, Redick has shown himself to be a great coach so far in this league. The Lakers felt he was someone who could be their coach for a very long time and so far it looks like the franchise was right in that belief.
Mychal Thompson reveals why Klay Thompson won’t join Lakers
There were some rumblings that the Lakers could potentially land all-time great shooter Klay Thompson this offseason, but after being bought out by the Dallas Mavericks he chose to join the Miami Heat.
Of course, Thompson’s father is former Lakers player and current radio analyst Mychal Thompson who tried to recruit his son to the purple and gold. And he spoke about his belief as to why Klay won’t join the Lakers.
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