Lakers legend Magic Johnson isn’t sugar coating how difficult JJ Redick’s first year as LA’s coach may be.
“It’s hard to go from where he was to the coach now,” Johnson said of Redick on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “Because remember, he was criticizing guys. Now, you gotta come and coach these guys that are in the NBA, in that locker room. So, he’s a very intelligent man — I give him that. He’s smart — he knows the game frontwards and backwards. Also, analytic-wise, he’s really intelligent, too. Now, can that transfer to the court, right? Can he now get the guys to play the way he wants ’em to play, have a great system on both ends — offense and defense — and can he make adjustments within the game. That’s gonna be the key for me, then I know if he’s a great coach. Because if a team goes on a run, can he make a adjustment to stop that run?”
Redick may have next to no coaching experience, but what he does have is 15 years of NBA playing experience – something that few current coaches in the league have.
Three coaches in the league right now were once the in the same boat as Redick – Jason Kidd, Doc Rivers and Steve Kerr.
Like Redick, Golden State Warriors coach Kerr also had 15 years of playing experience before trying his hand at coaching.
Kerr is now the Team USA coach and has guided the Warriors to four championships, so Redick may well follow a similar path.
Of course, there will be an immense amount of pressure on Redick as the Lakers try to win one last championship before LeBron rides off into the sunset.
But he is more than willing to accept the challenge it seems, while dispelling the notion he was given a handout.
Redick recently said of his position, “It’s not because I spent seven years as an assistant coach. It’s because I’ve worked my ass off on this craft of basketball for the last 32 years. I’m in this position because of that, not because I skipped the line.”
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