The Los Angeles Lakers are in the midst of one of the worst stretches in franchise history. It's a statement that some may perceive as hyperbolic, but having lost their past two games by a franchise record 70 combined points, it's a sadly well-founded statement.
Those losses only scratch the surface of how much has gone wrong over the past eight games, which has thus resulted in criticism of first-year head coach JJ Redick.
Los Angeles improved to 10-4 after a six-game winning streak that had many singing Redick's praises. Unfortunately, they've gone 2-6 over the past eight games, dropping four by at least 25 points—including a 109-80 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 2 and a 134-93 drubbing at the hands of the Miami Heat on Dec. 4.
Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas offered quite a take on the Lakers' struggles during a recent episode of Gil's Arena, boldly stating that the Lakers should fire Redick.
Should the Lakers fire JJ Redick already? pic.twitter.com/fidLO2aWnq
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) December 3, 2024
It's a stance that inevitably caused a commotion, but the Lakers should pay no mind to a take that's equally as surprising as it is premature.
Gilbert Arenas says Lakers should fire JJ Redick
Redick has been under fire since he made the controversial jump from analyst to head coach. That's a dramatic oversimplification of events, but many have been awaiting Redick's downfall due to the manner in which he secured a high-profile first head coaching job.
As the Lakers endure a stretch that has Redick's most staunch supporters scratching their heads, it was inevitable that calls for his job would arrive.
For as dreadful as the Lakers have been in recent weeks, however, they're still 12-10 and one of the better offensive teams in the NBA. They rank No. 13 in offensive rating and have made a habit out of winning close games.
Thus far in 2024-25, the Lakers are 10-3 during games that are decided by 10 points or less—an accurate representation of how Redick has adapted to the intricacies of late-game playcalling.
Unfortunately, they've also lost six games by at least 17 points. Four of those losses have come over the past seven games, with the Lakers actually going 2-1 during the outings that haven't been blowout defeats—the epitome of their mercurial nature.
Franchise players Anthony Davis and LeBron James have responded to the Lakers' self-imposed adversity by calling out themselves and their teammates.
For as honorable as that may be, and for however drastic Arenas' criticism may appear, there is a burden of responsibility resting on Redick's shoulders. The players can call themselves out and hold each other accountable, but the head coach needs to figure out what's gone wrong along the way.
It's far too soon to consider firing a head coach who has the Lakers playing above-.500 basketball with an injury-plagued team, but the pressure is on for Redick to right the ship.