Introduced as the new Lakers coach was J.J., who had no prior coaching experience. Redick says his time as a player, analyst and podcaster prepared him.

CNN
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Former longtime NBA shooting guard JJ ReddickA man with no prior coaching experience in the league was introduced Monday as the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Redick, who celebrated his 40th birthday on Monday, is changing Darwin HamHe was fired in May after two seasons with the Lakers.

“I don’t have any coaching experience in the NBA, but I would argue that I’m very experienced, and that started 22 years ago when I went to Duke, I played for Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) for four years and spent 15 years as an (NBA) player,” he said. said.

Redick’s past three years — in which he’s worked as a podcaster and ESPN analyst — have been invaluable in his preparation.

“Connecting with the players, talking to them on the podcast, being in coaching interviews with ESPN calling games, analyzing the game in three different formats. All this helped prepare me to be an NBA head coach,” he said

Redick played 15 seasons in the league for six teams before becoming ESPN’s NBA analyst in 2021.

Asked by a reporter if he felt the need to dispel any misconceptions or concerns about himself in recent weeks during the hiring process, Redick was blunt. “That’s a valid question, and I’ve certainly heard everything. … However, I don’t have the best answer to your question because I don’t really give an af**k. Honestly,” he said. “I want to coach the Lakers. I want to coach the team. I don’t want to ruin anything… I want to be a great coach in the NBA.

The man who hired Reddick said he was always on their A-list.

“It’s very clear that he has a unique perspective and philosophy on basketball and how to teach it,” Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Belinka said at a news conference.

Belinka said that Reddy shared “a basketball philosophy very similar to one that was based on high-level strategy, communicating with and teaching players” and “prioritizing player development.”

After shooting better than 40% this season, Redick indicated that Lakers star forward and NBA’s all-time leading scorer LeBron James wants to take more threes, but he still needs to have a conversation with James.

“You definitely have to buy in and talk to him about how he wants to play,” Redick said. “It’s really finding that in the half court, putting him in different spots as a scorer and a facilitator.”

Redick co-hosts a basketball podcast with James. But it’s unclear whether he will coach James, who could exercise his contract option in five days or move on next season.

James did not directly address his future with the team or say whether he will return for his 22nd NBA season.

On April 30, James X posted, “I’ve seen and heard about my future. I said it last night and I’ll say it again. I don’t know yet because I’m only thinking about spending time with my family and friends!

“After speaking with the family, if I know my advice and my representation of it, you will know.”

Redick said he sees nine-time All-Star center Anthony Davis as the team’s “hub” next season so the Lakers can maximize his talent. He said he spoke with Davis about a week ago about ideas he had for Davis’ offensive and defensive roles.

“I think we’re both very comfortable moving forward as a basic starting point for how he’s going to play on this team,” Redick said.

It wasn’t the first time the Lakers hired an inexperienced coach to lead the team: In 1994, when the team was struggling, owner Jerry Buss put Magic Johnson in charge for the final 16 games, and he posted a 5-11 record. Before resigning and becoming a part owner.

Earlier this month, University of Connecticut men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley turned down the Lakers for the then-vacant head coaching job and chased a third-straight national title with the Huskies.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers have offered the coach of the NCAA champion Huskies a six-year, $70 million contract.

Redick said he has no problem with the Lakers pursuing Hurley.

“At no time was my ego or feelings hurt or hurt in any way,” he said. “Dan Hurley is a two-time national champion at UConn. I’m a two-time 55 Swiss League champion in the 3rd and 4th grade division – I understand.

Last season, Los Angeles was eliminated from the playoffs in five games, losing its second straight postseason to the then-champion Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers currently hold the 17th pick in Thursday’s 2024 NBA Draft.