"They are grinders" - JJ Redick dishes on recruiting 'sickos' on Lakers staff ahead of 2024-25 training camp

LA Lakers coach JJ Redick looks ready to take on the challenge of leading the team for the 2024-25 season. In the summer, the organization brought Redick to replace Darvin Ham, who was let go after two seasons. The team is looking to contend for the title and believes that the former NBA player is the right person for them.

Redick will have an experienced staff supporting him during his first season on the Lakers bench. The organization hired veteran coaches Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks as assistants to Redick. Both of them have had tenures as NBA head coaches with various teams.

Mike Bresnahan, an analyst for Spectrum SportsNet, got a chance to talk to the first-time NBA head coach, who expressed his excitement to get started with training camp next month.

"I'm mostly excited just to work, just being in the gym, out here at this facility, with the guys and our coaching staff, that's been the best part," Redick said.

Bresnahan then asked Redick about the coaching staff and how it has worked for him. Redick was quick to praise his staff and their work ethic in particular.

"It's been fascinating. Because you fit in puzzle pieces together about skillsets and personalities. I couldn't be happier with this staff that we've built here. We have a blend of youth experience... The biggest thing for me is I wanted to make sure I had a bunch of sickos on my staff. And I think I’ve accomplished that… Yeah, they’re grinders."

For Redick, leading the Purple & Gold club is his first NBA coaching position. The only experience the former Duke star had in coaching was as a volunteer head coach for his son's 4th Grade Boys Team at the Brooklyn Basketball Academy.

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Former Lakers star on JJ Redick being the next Pat Riley

Since being hired by the Lakers, Redick has been compared to other great coaches in the league. One of the coaches that has often been compared to him is Pat Riley. However, former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal doesn't think that the recently retired player is comparable to Riley. (Start at 17:00)

"Stop it," O’Neal said. "No. First of all, JJ is a nice guy. Pat Riley is the man. So, imagine you come in (as a player) and JJ Redick starts yelling at you. It’s gonna be a f***ing fight in there. Players ain’t going for all that yelling and all that screaming and all that extra running. Next Pat Riley, my a**."

JJ Redick hasn't shown what he can do as a coach and many are waiting for him to prove himself with the Lakers. With that, O'Neal believes it's unfair to dub him the next Pat Riley.