Analyst flames JJ Redick and boldly affirms Lakers received better coaching from Darvin Ham - "Good lord, guys, have some pride"

The LA Lakers hoped to revolutionize their game plan by hiring analytics advocate JJ Redick over the offseason despite his lack of coaching experience. However, according to BBall Index founder @Tim_NBA on X/Twitter, AKA Cranjis McBasketball, Redick's coaching system has been inferior to his predecessor, Darvin Ham's.

Following its five-game 2024 first-round playoff exit, LA fired Ham in early May despite his 90-74 record over two seasons. His coaching tenure was marred by constant criticisms regarding his lack of in-game adjustments and overall schematics.

The Lakers took a swing with Ham's replacement, hiring Redick in late June, who the analytics community hailed as potentially the next great coaching mind. Upon his hiring, the rookie coach emphasized shooting and off-ball movement, with players commending his attention to detail.

However, amid LA's 20-17 start and three-game losing streak, @Tim_NBA called attention to Redick's coaching shortcomings. According to the analyst, who hosts "The Lakers Exceptionalism Podcast," the Redick-led Lakers have taken a step back on both ends of the court.

"Current form LA coaching is much worse than Ham was. I don't say this lightly, and I base it on having logged every offensive possession of both tenures and doing film work on defense for most games we've seen under both tenures," @Tim_NBA tweeted Wednesday.

"It's bad right now, and not confined to post-fire Laker play."

The analyst continued to break down concerning statistics from LA's latest 4-4 stretch.

"In five of the team's last eight games, we've seen more than 50% of the pick-and-roll/dribble handoff plays the team has run not match the coverage faced," @Tim_NBA wrote.

"Five of the last eight games have had a 53% organized offense rate or lower. In only two of the last eight games, we've seen LA counter post help more than 50% of the time."

He also provided a video example of the Lakers' questionable effort on a series of screens.

"Watch the three 'screens' on this play. Zero contact. Screening air. We see some going early by cutters as well," @Tim_NBA wrote. "It's late and you're down a bunch, but good lord, guys, have some pride."

Entering Wednesday's home matchup against the Miami Heat, LA ranks 13th in offensive rating (112.7) and 24th in defensive rating (115.7). In comparison, it had an offensive rating of 115.4 (15th) and a defensive rating of 114.8 (17th) under Ham last season.

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JJ Redick expresses frustration with Lakers' defense amid 3-game losing streak

During his Wednesday press conference, JJ Redick touched on LA's recent woes, particularly on defense. He noted that his team's defensive effort has been trending downward, with Monday's 126-102 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs serving as a prime example.

"The San Antonio game, in particular, was atrocious in terms of our team defense," Redick said (Timestamp: 0:39). "... We left every single guy on an island."

Redick added that his video coordinator compiled "15 to 20 clips" of the Lakers allowing the Spurs to "get to the rim" at will.

So, JJ Redick and Co. will look to learn from Monday's defensive slip-ups when they host Miami (20-18) on Wednesday.

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