JJ Redick was warned not to take Lakers coaching job?
Jun 24, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA; The Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick speaks to the media during an introductory news conference at the UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
JJ Redick is entering his first season as the Los Angeles Lakers’ head coach, which will also be his first season ever as a basketball coach. He will be taking one of the most high-profile jobs in sports — being the head coach of the Lakers — and he will be tasked with coaching one of the most high-profile players in the world — LeBron James.
Prior to accepting the Lakers job, Redick had retired from playing basketball and become one of the top analysts for ESPN. He was also co-hosting a successful podcast with LeBron James. That’s why many people warned him not to take the Lakers job.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, “several people close to Redick told him it would be a bad idea to take” the Lakers job.
Redick cast aside the doubts and decided to test his ability as a coach. He has since left behind ESPN and the podcasting world in order to coach the famous team.
The Lakers reached the conference finals under Darvin Ham two seasons ago, but they were bounced in the first round of the playoffs this year, resulting in Ham’s firing.
No Lakers head coach has lasted longer than three seasons since Phil Jackson’s second tenure, which ran from 2005-2011. Redick is facing an uphill battle filled with the pressure to succeed. But he is embracing the challenge.
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