The Los Angeles Lakers are buzzing with excitement over the prospect of JJ Redick stepping in as their head coach. Redick’s unlikely coaching journey has captivated the team’s leadership, with reports from The Athletic, through Jovan Buha and Shams Charania, suggesting the Lakers see Redick as a “Pat Riley-like coaching prospect,” someone who can drive immediate success and steer the franchise for years to come.
From Courtside to Sideline: JJ Redick’s Unlikely Coaching Journey
Despite having zero coaching experience, Redick has made quite a splash in the media world since his retirement from the NBA in 2021. His sharp insights and candid commentary have made him a standout analyst, not to mention his successful podcast network, which even features LeBron James as a co-host. Intriguingly, Charania notes that LeBron has had no discussions with the Lakers about Redick’s candidacy, emphasizing that this is purely a front-office pursuit.
Historically, the Lakers have a knack for unconventional coaching choices that pay off big. Pat Riley himself transitioned from broadcaster to head coach, sparking the “Showtime” era after replacing Paul Westhead in 1981. Riley led the Lakers to four championships during his tenure from 1981 to 1990, before moving on to other successful ventures with the Knicks and Heat.
Redick’s path would diverge slightly from Riley’s, as he shows no inclination to serve as an assistant coach first. And why should he? His reputation in sports media is soaring, and the financial rewards in broadcasting are nothing to scoff at. Leaving for anything less than a head coaching gig could be seen as a misstep.
Nevertheless, Redick’s coaching aspirations are genuine. He recently interviewed for the Charlotte Hornets’ head coaching position before they opted for Boston Celtics assistant Charles Lee. Redick has openly expressed missing the camaraderie and adrenaline of the locker room, hinting at a passionate return to the NBA in a coaching capacity.
The Lakers’ interest in Redick is certainly a gamble, but one that could potentially pay off in spades. Whether he can replicate Riley’s legendary success remains to be seen, but the excitement and speculation are palpable.
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