JJ Redick weighs in on learning as Lakers coach in maiden stint: "Trying to be open-minded and self-critical at all times"

When JJ Redick was named the LA Lakers coach, many criticized the franchise for choosing someone with no prior coaching experience. This fact was not lost on Redick as well as he acknowledged it during his introductory press conference.

However, with the preseason now done, the former NBA 3-point specialist had some time to reflect on the learning curve that he had to go through in the first few weeks of NBA coaching. In a conversation with The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, JJ Redick spoke about the improvements he made during preseason:

“This is all simultaneously familiar and new if that makes sense. There's a duality to this for me right now. I'm just trying to be open-minded and self-critical at all times. That's also some duality there as well. So I can't really say, like, specific things where I'm like, 'Oh, I've already grown here.'

“But I think being comfortable recognizing mistakes and things you could do better, whether that's an ATO or how you teach something at practice, whatever it may be. The biggest thing for me is to provide as much clarity as possible to our players. And I think our coaching staff has done that so far.”

The Lakers didn’t have the greatest preseason though, as they finished the exhibition games with a 4-2 record. Their wins came against the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. LA opens its regular season by hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

JJ Redick got candid about short shelf life of NBA coaches

Every team in the NBA aspires to be a championship contender if not win the title. And when you are the coach of the 18-time champions LA Lakers, there’s always an added pressure to win. However, NBA coaching isn’t an easy job.

JJ Redick was asked about the short shelf life coaches have in the NBA where they are given just a couple of years to perform before being let go. Redick replied, via Duane Rankin:

“Yeah, it didn't register at all. I'll probably get fired someday. … Chances are. Hope not.”

After the Boston Celtics won their 19th title in 2023-24, the pressure will be much more on JJ Redick to deliver a championship. The onus is on the coach to utilize the talents of LeBron James and Anthony Davis to make the Lakers a true championship contender.

LA was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last season. The season before that, it lost in the Western Conference finals. The Denver Nuggets defeated the Lakers on both occasions.

Both those seasons were also the only seasons when former Lakers coach Darvin Ham was in-charge. Despite going 90-74 and a conference finals appearance, he was let go. With the short shrift that coaches receive in elite sport, it won't be surprising if Redick's Lakers tenure meets a similar fate.