3 things JJ Redick needs to do now to stop Lakers from blowing season up
JJ Redick has to speak with LeBron James and Anthony Davis to turn things around for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.
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JJ Redick has to take tough decisions if Los Angeles Lakers are to turn their season around
The casual fan noticing the Los Angeles Lakers currently at 12-10 and sitting in the play-in spots might wonder if it could be early struggles adjusting to new schemes under head coach JJ Redick. But that record does not show how badly the LeBron James-led lineup has been playing off late.
The latest loss, a 41-point abomination at the hands of the Miami Heat, has laid bare the squad’s problems. On one hand, the nearly 40-year-old had to lead the scoring despite his continuing struggles from the perimeter.
James’ partner in crime Anthony Davis probably carried some snow along after the game in Minnesota as he looked frozen all night. The Heat’s Tyler Herro alone managed to overcome the production of all six Lakers bench players.
The Heat showed the entire basketball world just how bad the men in purple and gold are right now. With plenty to think of, JJ Redick needs to take these three steps if they are to stop this season from blowing up.
1. JJ Redick needs to bench his friend LeBron James
As wild as it might sound, this is the first step the new head coach should take. Benching one of the greatest players in league history is the only way JJ Redick can force the rest of his players to respond. They have become too casual in their approach towards games.
So much so that either they are barely scraping past other struggling teams in the league or getting blown out by playoff squads. Usually, when teams play in that fashion, they tend to end up at the bottom of the standings towards the end of the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers are too proud a team to have such a season as part of their history, especially not with the all-time leading scorer still on their squad. Forcing LeBron James to sit down for even at least the road games will force the others to step up.
In the meantime, James can conserve his energy and work on his shooting. This way, the rest of the squad can focus on building their own variables to Redick’s schemes on the court without having to depend on their team leader.
2. Have a conversation with Anthony Davis
Early on in the season, Anthony Davis was playing at an MVP level. However, there have been too many low-scoring games and an overall lack of effort on the glass as well as on the defensive side. If anything, he is supposed to be the start and end of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Superstar players do have their slumps, but not over a stretch of important games. JJ Redick needs to sit down with Davis and figure out where and why he is struggling. Benching LeBron James will not work if the 6′ 10″ superstar does not step up.
Last season, the squad was plagued by his hot and cold games during the playoffs. Now that it has shown up this early in the season, it will work in Redick’s favor if he can figure out the causes and nip them in the bud. Such performances cannot be expected from a player of his caliber.
3. Push Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss for bench help
The Los Angeles Lakers as a whole have stunk it up in these last few games. But one can argue that the bench has been woeful at best. They do have some players waiting to return from injury, but even then, those currently occupying the seats are not helping.
Be it D’Angelo Russell or Gabe Vincent, the lack of scoring has been glaring. What adds to the woes is that neither of them contributes defensively to an already heavily leaking team. Either Redick pushes Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss to look for defensive players or players who can score.
Either way, JJ Redick should first have proper conversations with his coaching staff. He has two experienced former head coaches who may have a thing or two to suggest. Be it mistakes he is making or pointing out what the squad needs to do to stop this embarrassing streak. Someone has to respond for this season to get back on track.
Their early season promise gave a glimpse into what could happen. But this stretch also shows how bad it could take a turn if things don’t work well together. JJ Redick may not have his job on the line now, but unless he turns it around, Buss might not hesitate to tear the contract up.
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Joseph Varghese
(2265 Articles Published)