Lakers legend Magic Johnson isn’t sugar coating how troublesome JJ Redick’s first 12 months as LA’s coach could also be.
“It’s exhausting to go from the place he was to the coach now,” Johnson stated of Redick on Jimmy Kimmel Dwell. “As a result of keep in mind, he was criticizing guys. Now, you gotta come and coach these guys which might be within the NBA, in that locker room. So, he’s a really clever man — I give him that. He’s sensible — he is aware of the sport frontwards and backwards. Additionally, analytic-wise, he’s actually clever, too. Now, can that switch to the court docket, proper? Can he now get the blokes to play the way in which he desires ’em to play, have an amazing system on each ends — offense and protection — and may he make changes inside the recreation. That’s gonna be the important thing for me, then I do know if he’s an amazing coach. As a result of if a group goes on a run, can he make a adjustment to cease that run?”
Redick might have subsequent to no teaching expertise, however what he does have is 15 years of NBA taking part in expertise – one thing that few present coaches within the league have.
Three coaches within the league proper now had been as soon as the in the identical boat as Redick – Jason Kidd, Doc Rivers and Steve Kerr.
Like Redick, Golden State Warriors coach Kerr additionally had 15 years of taking part in expertise earlier than attempting his hand at teaching.
Kerr is now the Crew USA coach and has guided the Warriors to 4 championships, so Redick might nicely observe the same path.
In fact, there might be an immense quantity of stress on Redick because the Lakers attempt to win one final championship earlier than LeBron rides off into the sundown.
However he’s greater than prepared to just accept the problem it appears, whereas dispelling the notion he was given a handout.
Redick lately stated of his place, “It’s not as a result of I spent seven years as an assistant coach. It’s as a result of I’ve labored my ass off on this craft of basketball for the final 32 years. I’m on this place due to that, not as a result of I skipped the road.”
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