Pat Riley picked a much-needed time to publicly support JJ Redick's NBA head coaching credentials.
With Los Angeles Lakers fans once again doubting Redick after an embarrassing, 22-point loss to the Boston Celtics at home on Sunday, Redick added insult to injury after the game by choosing to fruitlessly point fingers at the refs rather than at himself or his players.
Redick has made his fair share of mistakes in pressers and on the sidelines since becoming Lakers head coach, but that didn't stop Riley from praising JJ.
Pat Riley appears to throw support behind Lakers head coach JJ Redick
Speaking to the media after his Lakers statue unveiling, Riley said he "loves" Redick and that JJ has a "quality about him that goes above and beyond."
Notably, Riley also mentioned that Redick could really shoot and was tough as nails as a player ... but wait, what does that have to do with Redick's coaching acumen? Not much at all.
Ultimately, Riley had no reason to say anything but positive things about Redick, especially on such a glorious day as his own statue unveiling.
That's exactly why Riley's comments have to be interpreted as political niceties that don't mean much. What would Riley gain by offering a brutally honest assessment of Redick's mediocre job with the Lakers so far?
"They have a great opportunity, and I think JJ will be a great coach for them," Riley said instead, with all the vagueness and deference that comes with politically correct artfulness.
Then again, Riley also said that Redick reminds him of a young version of himself, which starts to make you wonder if Riley legitimately does believe in Redick!
In that case, you can read Riley's comments as more or less genuine, as long as you notice that Riley's tone and wording suggested that Redick's future as a head coach is what's most exciting. "JJ will be a great coach," Riley said.
The problem for the Lakers is that they need Redick to be a great coach now-ish, meaning by next season.
Luka Doncic is only 26 years old, but his prime might end sooner than expected, and if the Lakers aren't looking like a contender by this time next year, Redick's seat could begin to heat up sooner than expected.
Redick has to rely somewhat on president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka to add the right pieces this offseason, especially in the form of capable defenders. Even so, Redick hasn't shown yet that he maximizes the talent at his disposal. There's still time, but not much.