"Disturbing Mazzulla impression"- NBA fans react as Lakers coach JJ Redick calls himself 'masochist'

LA Lakers coach JJ Redick did his best Joe Mazzulla impression on Friday before the team's home against the Philadelphia 76ers. Redick called himself a 'masochist' after explaining to reporters what he found out about himself amid the Lakers' turbulent 1-4 road trip, seeing them drop to 4-4 after a 3-0 start.

"It reinforced to me that I am a masochist," Redick told reporters. "And by that, I mean I actually am more excited right now that we've had some struggles. I mentioned a growth opportunity earlier -- this is what it's about."

Mazzulla has used vague terms like these in his interviews, leaving fans perplexed. One of Mazzulla's famous quotes from January 2024 seemed very close to what Redick said on Friday.

The Boston Celtics coach was replying to Charles Barkley, who said he would have 'knocked out' Mazzulla if he tried to block his shot during a timeout. For context, Mazzulla had blocked Suns player Royce O'Neal from getting a shot up during a timeout.

"I’m always up to get knocked out,” Mazzulla said. “I think that’s important, too. ... If you can’t go through the day hoping you don’t get knocked out, I don’t know what do you do.”

Mazzulla has even jumped in and out of his duck boat and ran on the streets during the Celtics' championship parade on a torn meniscus.

The Lakers fans couldn't help but compare JJ Redick to Joe Mazzulla for his comments. One fan jokingly said:

"Slightly disturbing Mazzulla impression"

"He's the Lakers Joe Mazzulla bro," said another.

"damn we fr got a demon as our coach man cmon," one fan said.

"It’s so nice having a coach who gives a f**k again," another fan added.

"They woke up JJ," one fan said.

"Wow goat," one X user wrote.

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JJ Redick makes his first bold move of the season

JJ Redick's no-nonsense approach has been evident with the Lakers. It's difficult for rookie coaches to have that kind of approach, but Redick is seemingly thriving in that department. He's been frank in interviews, holding himself accountable at times and calling out his players, too.

D'Angelo Russell was one of the players who was under scrutiny from Redick after the coach limited him to 22 minutes on Wednesday against the Grizzlies, citing his lack of compete and attention to detail. On Friday, Redick took it up a notch by benching Russell for Cam Reddish.

However, it was more to do with the Lakers' balance than just Russell's performance. JJ Redick didn't like the defensive schemes he was seeing with Russell and Austin Reaves as the point-of-attack defenders. Reddish was the better option in that regard.

Meanwhile, Russell gave the struggling bench production a boost. He scored 18 points in his first game off the bench. He also didn't take the benching personally, saying he was 'egoless.'