The Los Angeles Lakers took a big swing in the summer of 2024 when they agreed to a deal with JJ Redick to be the franchise’s next head coach. Redick was three years removed from his career as a player, and had done no professional coaching in that time frame, instead spending those years as an ESPN analyst and podcast host.
However, Redick has more than proven himself in his first two years at the helm of the purple and gold. He has led the team to 50 or more wins, and a playoff berth, in both seasons, while successfully navigating the team through a massive roster overhaul in the wake of the trade for Luka Doncic. His humility and appreciation for all of it is one of his best qualities, though, and he expressed that while returning to his hometown of Roanoke, Virginia.
“I had dreams to play at Duke, obviously the NBA,” Redick said on WSLS 10. “This journey has been beyond my wildest dreams and I’m pinching myself every day that I’m at Duke with Coach K, I’m pinching myself every day I’m in an NBA locker room, I’m pinching myself now that I get to coach the Lakers.”
Redick has had somewhat of a storybook career in terms of being in dream situations. Redick played his college ball with Coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke University, reaching two Final Fours and four Sweet Sixteens in his four seasons there.
He then got to be a part of several very memorable teams during his playing career. He was on the Orlando Magic team that went to the Finals in 2009, then played a pivotal role on the Lob City L.A. Clippers, perhaps the franchise’s best team ever. Then, after a 15-year playing career, he moved on to ESPN, the most famous sports broadcasting brand.
After all that, he began coaching the Lakers, a dream job for many in the industry. All of this fully earned with a brilliant basketball mind and an unending work ethic. Through all of that, he has remained humble and shows it in moments like the appearance above, giving back to the community.
Danny Green praises JJ Redick
Lakers champion Danny Green spoke about Redick and what he’s done so far as the coach of the franchise, praising him for his work and continues his belief in as the Lakers move towards a new era with Doncic at the helm.
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