JJ Redick has been through the ringer in his first one-and-a-half seasons as Los Angeles Lakers head coach. Starting his coaching career in charge of the most famous team in the sport, coaching the most talented player ever, is no small task. Redick won 50 games in a whirlwind first season — pretty good! But an unceremonious first-round playoff exit left lingering (and probably unfair) questions about his abilities as a coach.
As he approaches his 150th game, with the Lakers on a 50-win pace again, I think it's past time to say that Redick is up for the job. Earlier this week, as the Lakers continue to string together quality wins (and look at least competitive on defense), Redick touched on why it's important for him, personally, not to overreact to rough stretches, via Dan Woike of The Athletic:
"I’m not in a position where I can’t overreact. You guys do that. The fans rightfully so should always overreact. It’s what makes fandom so awesome,” Redick said. “… My job is not to overreact. We’re 15-9 in our last 24. We’re top-10 offense and top-15 defense. Like, that’s what we wanted to be coming into the season with this group, and that’s where our group is right now."
It's a fair and level-headed outlook on the Lakers season at large. There have been times where it's felt, for fans, like the sky is falling, but the Lakers have stayed steadily in the top six of the West all year. Having a coach who is able to see the bigger picture is crucial, and Redick does that. He doesn't get caught up in the hysteria that engulfs Lakers Nation whenever there's a multi-game losing streak. I'm not calling Lakers fans hysterical, I promise.
JJ Redick has maximized the roster he's been given
What more could he be expected to do with this version of the Lakers? In the final month of the season, Redick has the team positioned for a potential third-place finish in an overcrowded Western Conference.
Plus, his Big 3 doesn't actually work as a unit! You can blame Redick in part for that, but I'll take the more optimistic route and say that his ability to keep the team afloat while his three best players have a negative net rating when they share the court deserves admiration rather than scolding.
Young players get the benefit of the doubt when they make rookie mistakes. Young coaches should be afforded the same slack. In year two, JJ Redick has made his case to be the Lakers longterm answer at coach — and it's a pretty convincing one.