When JJ Redick took the reins as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, he knew the challenge would be enormous. Leading a franchise built on championship DNA, and managing superstars like LeBron James and Luka Doncic, meant instant pressure to win and zero margin for error.
Redick admitted the transition from player to coach forced him to grow quickly, both mentally and emotionally, in a candid reflection on his first season.
“I spent a lot of time this season with my performance coach and did a lot of journaling, self-reflection and all that stuff, worked through some things,” Redick told reporters. “I think the biggest thing for me is just having the ability to properly turn it on and off and also recognizing and I have always recognized this, not everybody is wired like Kobe.”
He elaborated further, saying, “I am not saying I am wired like Kobe, but not everybody is wired like Tom Brady or Kobe, you know? You gotta kinda meet guys where they are. That doesn’t change the standard or expectation for them, but having a little bit of empathy for them.”
That perspective didn’t come easily. Redick admitted that early on, he let the weight of expectations get to him, even recalling a preseason meltdown in Palm Springs when frustrations boiled over. After years as a player known for precision and intensity, the rookie coach had to learn the balance between high standards and human understanding.
“You have to ask yourself a question every morning: What do I need to do to be good at my job? And the answer to that is very different every day,” Redick said. “The summer, to me, is an opportunity to grow outside of just X’s and O’s. I think a lot about the culture that I wanna create — not just create, but sustain. And I just think you can pick Sean McVay, Tom Brady. It’s greatness. Why would I not take that opportunity?”
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