NBA champion head coach explains how JJ Redick has already made Lakers better

The Los Angeles Lakers made one of the boldest hiring decisions in NBA history when they named JJ Redick as their new head coach. Redick had never once coached above the amateur level, and despite his 15-year playing career, was widely regarded as an enigmatic commodity.

It's only been 11 games, but Redick is already earning rave reviews from his fellow head coaches for how he's put his mark on the Lakers in such a short period of time.

Los Angeles has experienced its share of highs and lows early in the 2024-25 regular season, but Redick has done an excellent job of righting the ship. Within 11 games, he's already helped his team navigate a back-to-back, a five-game road trip, and four losses in five outings.

According to Dave McMenamin and Matt Williams of ESPN, former NBA champion and current Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer offered praise for Redick during his first season at the helm.

"Their execution stands out to me," said Suns coach Mike Budenholzer, whose team played L.A. twice in the preseason and twice already in the regular season. "The force in which they're cutting and screening and playing. Davis is bringing a lot on both ends of the court. So I think that's a reflection of JJ as a coach, and I'm sure his staff. The players are obviously taking whatever they're working on in practice and applying it."

Budenholzer is as experienced and successful as just about any coach in the NBA, making his praise for Redick uniquely qualified.

Mike Budenholzer praises JJ Redick for instant impact on Lakers

Budenholzer spent 17 seasons as an assistant coach with Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs. He's since gone on to occupy head coaching roles for 11 consecutive seasons, experiencing resounding success at every stop.

That includes delivering the Milwaukee Bucks' first championship in 50 years and the Atlanta Hawks' first Conference Finals appearance in 45.

Budenholzer now has the Suns off to a remarkable start to the 2024-25 regular season—his first in Phoenix. That makes his praise for Redick all the more enticing, as he knows exactly what it entails when attempting to win over a locker room and find success on the court.

Budenholzer is also echoing the statements made by another proven head coach, Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who praised Redick for modernizing the Lakers' offense.

Budenholzer's praise not only further establishes that league-wide belief, but speaks to the obvious buy-in Redick seems to be receiving. It's one of the primary reasons to believe in what the Lakers could achieve under their first-year head coach.

Redick is running a more modern offense, flush with off-ball action and a greater emphasis on three-point shooting, and is emphasizing the minor details of success.

The result has been Los Angeles playing with a heightened sense of energy and intensity both on and off the ball. It's also enabled the team to overcome adversity and position itself to produce a fruitful 2024-25 regular season.

All eyes will continue to be on Redick as he encounters new challenges as the Lakers' head coach, but Budenholzer and Finch are singing an encouraging tune early in 2024-25.