Yet another NBA champion head coach is praising Lakers' JJ Redick

The Los Angeles Lakers have far exceeded the expectations of those who thought they'd fall flat on their faces under first-year head coach JJ Redick. Through 16 games, the Lakers are 10-6, boast one of the best offenses in the NBA, and have unearthed a Rookie of the Year candidate.

Redick has received rave reviews for his contributions as head coach early in the 2024-25 season, and that trend has continued with an NBA champion's praise.

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch and Phoenix Suns sideline general Mike Budenholzer are among those who have praised Redick for his work in Los Angeles. That's well-qualified praise, as Budenholzer is a former NBA champion and Finch reached the 2024 Western Conference Finals.

According to Matt Peralta of Lakers Nation, the latest individual to join that group is NBA champion and Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.

“This is not a cop out because I think JJ in his first year as a head coach is doing a hell of a job,” Malone said. “Most first-year head coaches take over teams that are not built to win now. Most first-year head coaches have taken over teams that are almost starting a new. I would compare it to when Mike Brown took over in Cleveland with LeBron and that team was ready to win. So I think JJ is doing a hell of a job."

For those keeping score, that's two NBA champions and a coach who came within a round of the Finals who have praised Redick for his success in Los Angeles.

Michael Malone the latest to praise Lakers' JJ Redick

At 10-6, Redick has the Lakers off to their best start to a season since 2020-21. The ball is moving freely among the offensive players, with off-ball action creating chances that no longer need to be exclusively generated by isolation playmakers.

It's perhaps the most significant development of his tenure thus far, as the Lakers have evolved to meet the modern standard on offense.

Redick has also done the unthinkable by transforming the identity of the team by altering who it operates through. Los Angeles had long prioritized LeBron James on offense, but its first-year head coach boldly shifted the strategy toward utilizing Anthony Davis as the focal point.

Considering James spent the first 21 years of his NBA career as the undisputed first option on offense, it was a gamble by Redick to change the very fabric of the Lakers' approach.

The results have been profound, with much to be said about how Redick has overcome the injuries his team has endured. The Lakers have played all 16 games without key reserves Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood, for instance, which has necessitated changes to the structure of the rotation.

Redick made yet another bold decision when he addressed the concerns about the quality of the second unit by moving D'Angelo Russell to the bench and starting Cam Reddish in his place.

Compounded by Los Angeles responding to four losses in five tries by going on a six-game winning streak, it's been a sensational debut season from Redick. There are certainly flaws to address, including the Lakers' putrid defense, but roughly one-fifth of the way through his first year at the helm, Redick has been undeniably impressive.

Los Angeles will now pose a question to Redick that hasn't been adequately answered in several years: Can he find a way to defeat Malone and the Nuggets?