JJ Redick is the perfect "neurotic" coach to save the Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have begun the JJ Redick era with a bang. Matched up against a 2023-24 Western Conference Finalist, Los Angeles secured a 110-103 victory that has the NBA buzzing about how different the team looks from a season ago despite its nearly identical roster.

If there's only one word to describe the key to Redick's early success, it was the one he uttered during a recent interview that shed light on his distinguishing characteristics.

Redick getting off to a 1-0 start to his NBA coaching career can only signal so much in the long term. The difference in the energy in Los Angeles is palpable, however, and his approach to the game is justifiably garnering praise for that very reason.

According to Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation, Redick is planning to put in a request to the NBA to stop the use of brand-new basketballs.

“Sending in a request for the league tomorrow that we can play with warn-in basketballs,” Redick added. “I’m not sure why we’re playing in real games. I’m being dead serious. I’m not sure why we’re playing in real games with brand-new basketballs. Anybody who’s ever touched an NBA ball brand new. It’s a different feel and touch than a warn-in basketball. I didn’t realize it till a timeout. There’s a long rebound, and I grabbed it. What? Why are we playing with this ball? Give the guys the opportunity to pick a good basketball."

Redick continued, offering a quote that epitomizes why the Lakers made the right decision to hire him as head coach:

“You think I’m joking? I’m neurotic.”

A neurotic head coach whose attention to detail is without refrain, Redick has the opportunity to change the culture—and there are signs that suggest he already has.

JJ Redick can save the Lakers with his attention to detail

During the early stages of the coaching search, it was revealed that the Lakers were looking for a candidate who can be described as a, "Grinder." It was an interesting description of the ideal hire, as it seemed to paint the picture of a lack of attention to detail from the previous regime.

Regardless of what it implies about what once was, it's become abundantly clear that Redick fits the description—and he's made it known that his coaching staff does, as well.

The early showings from Los Angeles during the preseason and regular season opener seem to reveal the impact that the new staff is having on the players. There was significantly more energy on both ends of the floor, as well as creative off-ball action to generate shots in a way that didn't require a specific player to run the offense.

It was a significant departure from the unimaginative approach of the 2023-24 Lakers, which seemed to include a mentality that offensive rebounding was irrelevant to team success.

In the regular season opener, the Lakers pulled down 15 offensive boards—nearly twice as many as the league-worst 8.2 it averaged in 2023-24. It was the best statistical example of how different the team looked in just one game.

It was also a testament to Redick being able to identify the Lakers' flaws and meticulously analyze how he can design schemes to address the need for improvement.

The same was acknowledged in a recent interview, when Redick discussed Anthony Davis' three-point shooting. He acknowledged that he wants the five-time All-NBA honoree to attempt more shots from beyond the arc, but also recognized the need to create those opportunities in a natural manner.

With the detail-oriented approach that he's taken to coaching, Redick is positioning himself to do as well as any first-year head coach can as they learn on the fly.