Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick did not hold back when asked about the criticism that continues to follow LeBron James, even as the 41-year-old continues to perform at an elite level.
“I don’t take for granted the LeBron stuff,” Redick said. “It’s unfortunate actually — not to go on a little tangent here — but it’s actually unfortunate how much this guy puts into it and how much he cares and the way certain people talk about him. It’s crazy. Come be around him every day and see how much this guy cares. It’s off the charts.”
Redick expanded on why he finds the public narrative around James so frustrating, suggesting criticism is often driven more by attention than truth.
“That’s the nature of envy,” Redick said. “It’s the nature of envy. You’re not going to get a click, you’re not going to get a response, by saying something nice about somebody, by acknowledging someone’s greatness, by acknowledging how much they care and how much they work and how much they’ve accomplished and continue to accomplish and continue to go after something. I mean, you got to say something bad about him. You got to go on TV and knock him. You got to go read into, ‘Oh, he did this pregame and he did this.’ It’s all just nuts. Be around him every day. He’s unbelievable.”
Reporters then asked LeBron about Redick’s comments, to which he replied, “I really just hope, once it’s all said and done, that I’ve made an impact for those who’ve followed my career for over twenty-three years since I kinda started this journey in high school,” James said. “My crew that’s been with me.. everything else doesn’t matter.”
James backed up his coach’s words with his play, finishing with 31 points, ten assists, and 9 rebounds while becoming the franchise leader in 30-point double-doubles, passing Kobe Bryant with sixty-one. The performance came less than 24 hours after he logged heavy minutes in a loss to Sacramento.
READ MORE: LeBron James Reaffirms Support for Austin Reaves After Rich Paul Comments