JJ Redick storms out after reporter questions his decision-making abilities after Game 4 4th qtr debacle

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has come under fire for playing LeBron James, Luka Doncic and starters the entire 2nd half.

JJ Redick storms out after reporter questions his decision-making abilities after Game 4 4th qtr debacle

Los Angeles Lakers JJ Redick walks out of media session

The Los Angeles Lakers hired JJ Redick, knowing he had no coaching experience. He was tasked to lead a team comprising LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and then Luka Doncic to a respectable finish in his first season.

They started well, and it seemed the rookie HC was a genius with game management and schemes. Then the Lakers saw a concerning dip in performance before the turn of the New Year. After that run, they started to put together a series of wins to climb to 2nd in the league.

When faced with injuries, they dropped down the table and then climbed back to finish a respectable third. But the real test was in the playoffs, and after the Lakers struggled with a 1-2 record, it was on the team to win Game 4, and they almost had it in their bag.

Some late-game mistakes ended up costing them the game. His decision to play his starters the entire second half has come under fire, and reporters before tonight’s important Game 5 asked if he was going to lean on his assistants to help with 4th quarter substitutions.

Are you saying that because I’m inexperienced, and that was an inexperienced decision that I made? You don’t think I don’t talk to my assistants about substitutions every single timeout.

JJ Redick said

To this, the reporter reiterated that a lot of coaches consult with their assistants in those situations. JJ Redick fired back.

As do I, every single time. That’s a weird assumption.

JJ Redick said

Immediately after saying this, JJ Redick placed the mic down and walked out of the press conference. He stormed out as he did not appreciate how the reporter seemingly questioned his inexperience in handling such decisions.

JJ Redick’s coaching legacy starts with Game 5

The Los Angeles Lakers’ fatigue in Game 4’s 4th qtr might have led them to a 1-3 series deficit. Only 5% teams facing these odds have ever made it back to win a seven-game playoff series. The franchise has a talented enough roster not to exit the first round in this manner.

Therefore, it will be on JJ Redick to help LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the rest of the team prepare for tonight’s do-or-die Game 5. How the team fares will end up deciding how he has performed in his job as the head coach of this franchise.

His predecessor knows all too well how playoff results can overshadow regular-season performances and invariably affect their legacy. Darvin Ham has become the laughing stock in the NBA. Redick might not go in that direction this soon, but members of the media and fans might hold him to his decisions in this playoff series.

If the Lakers exit, it will be on him. If they win, it will also be on him. Therefore, how the Lakers respond will determine how he fares in the eyes of fans and the media. His players know they have to win at all costs and are preparing to battle against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Luka Doncic reiterates do-or-die mentality

The Los Angeles Lakers have no choice but to win tonight’s Game 5 if they are to continue fighting to not ending their season early. The roster shares the same mindset as Luka Doncic reiterated while speaking with reporters after practice yesterday.

We definitely should treat it like Game 7. You lose, you go home. Got to focus on this game and then go on.

Luka Doncic said

The Slovenian mentioned that they have looked at areas where they need to improve and will try to implement them. But he knows that whatever they do, they have to win this game. Games 5 through 7 will decide if the Lakers advance to the next round.4

Also Read: