The Los Angeles Lakers' start of season press conference revealed that JJ Redick had three of his starting spots locked down, with the other two open for competition. The additional insight Redick offered, in jest, was the search for more melanin with those final spots. Now, there is more clarity.
Speaking with ESPN Los Angeles, Redick gave a clearer picture of what the Lakers are looking for in support of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler for that starting group. The descriptor painted a strong understanding of what his main guys need around them.
"What we're looking for is consistency and fit. ... Obviously, we want guys that can make 3s, but we want guys that can complement them on the defensive end, can make plays off the dribble, can be second-side cutters and second-side shot makers, second-side creators."
Redick added that Los Angeles has a lot of options. There was an excitement oozing from the Lakers coach in anticipation of how it all plays out. The jubilation from the fanbase should be with just how ready their head coach is to maximize this roster (again).
JJ Redick is ready to identify the guys who support his Lakers stars best
When asked on how long it would take for a team to truly come together, Redick told ESPN LA there is no answer to that question because the identity of a group can change 'multiple times throughout the season.' That much could not be more true when looking at last year's Lakers.
Los Angeles hit their stride in March. After they did, the injuries to Doncic and Reaves forced them to evolve. These were both things Redick pointed out.
That extra point offered additional reassurance about how the third-year coach is going to remain adaptable in trying to maximize his main guys and the starting lineup that supports them. Redick has shown in his two years of coaching that getting the most out of his group is par for the course. That can involve constant flexibility.
Redick has set the bar high for himself and the Lakers. Rob Pelinka took more of a cautious approach to discussing persistent championship expectations in Los Angeles, calling the building of a contender an 'evergreen process.' JJ, on the other hand, did not shy away from the challenge.
No one shows up on day one as a championship-level team. That was Redick's message on the first podium of the season. JJ believed the Lakers could grow into that by season's end, and he accepted his role in the molding that needs to be done to accomplish as much.
A key part of that will be getting the most out of the best guys on the team. Redick's vision of how to do that, voiced by the aforementioned comments above, should offer plenty of confidence in his ability as a coach to get the Lakers to where they need to be.
Add us as a preferred source on Google