The Los Angeles Lakers looked like a completely new team in the month of March, going 15-2, including a nine-game winning streak, while gaining a little bit of separation amongst the other teams battling for the three seed in the Western Conference. There is plenty of praise to go around for the Lakers’ success and head coach JJ Redick made believes everyone is deserving of some credit.
Following the Lakers’ victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Redick listed a number of reasons as to why the Lakers improved over the past month, but made sure to name every player who has been part of the rotation when called upon for delivering when they need to.
“I think it was a confluence of things starting with health,” Redick said. “I think it’s much easier when you have a consistent stretch of health to not even buy in but settle into roles and minutes and rotations. We never found that throughout the season. Another big part of that was the second part of roles is just, guys really embracing things.
“I think, Luka (Dončić) has had a as good of a month as anybody that I can remember in modern NBA, at least since I’ve been part of it. Certainly, LeBron (James) has had those, (James) Harden has had those, Steph (Curry) has had those, but he just played phenomenal this month and then everyone else just had huge impacts.
“AR (Austin Reaves) getting healthy, LeBron on both ends of the floor. DA (Deandre Ayton) and Jaxson (Hayes), really just filling in and doing what they need to do to help this team win at a high level. Luke (Kennard), Rui (Hachimura), their shooting, Jake (LaRavia) and (Marcus) Smart, their defense, Bronny (James Jr.), Vando (Jarred Vanderbilt), Maxi (Kleber), those guys had to play.
“Just we had a good contribution from everyone to the group. I don’t think I forgot about anybody, did I that’s in the regular rotation?”
It has truly been a team effort for Redick’s Lakers. Obviously Doncic, James and Reaves get much of the credit, but everyone has had their moments. The center combination of Ayton and Hayes have thrived on both ends, Kennard and Hachimura have made clutch shots, Smart has been the tone setter on defense and when he went down LaRavia, Vanderbilt and Bronny have been ready when their number was called. And as far as Redick is concerned, they all deserve recognition.
“Our team right now is the reason that we’re winning,” Redick added. “Our team. Because each guy has contributed to winning.”
Obviously there are only so many minutes available once the playoffs begin and things will tighten up. But the fact that Redick knows he can call on anyone when needed and they will be ready to perform is huge for this Lakers team.
JJ Redick credits Lakers players and staff for 100 career wins
Redick’s praise for his players didn’t stop at just crediting them for the Lakers’ recent run as he also praised them, as well as his coaching staff, after he reached 100 career coaching wins.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
