Lakers’ Head Coach JJ Redick Labels OKC ‘One of The Greatest Teams Ever’ Ahead of Round 2 Clash

The Los Angeles Lakers are about to face the Oklahoma City Thunder. That means head coach JJ Redick will have to come up with a game plan to ensure LeBron James and his teammates do not get embarrassed.

It so happens that the defending champions have proved to be easily the best team in the league. When other teams were plotting to defeat them, the Thunder simply went from strength to strength.

The only thing that can slow them down is if their top three players get injured. Even if one is available, it is enough to put up a fight against any team remaining in the postseason.

On top of that, they are the only ones to sweep a playoff series 4-0 in the first round. This means they will be the most rested when the second round begins.

I said to a bunch of people yesterday, off-site, talking about this series, to me, the Thunder is one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history. It’s just the reality. They’re that good. I think our guys recognize that and respect that, and we know what kind of task we have in front of us.

JJ Redick told Khobi Price

JJ Redick on the Thunder: "We saw a stat in our morning meeting, teams that have had back-to-back, 10 or more better net ratings in consecutive seasons, you're talking about the '95-'96 Bulls and '96-'97 Bulls and the '15-'17 Warrriors. You're literally talking about two of the… pic.twitter.com/UGkJQWmxCn

— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) May 3, 2026

This acknowledgement from a head coach could be seen as either a mind game to get them to loosen up. Or, it could be acceptance that JJ Redick‘s Lakers are about to face a daunting task of trying to stay alive against one of the best teams to be assembled in NBA history.

JJ Redick is aware of OKC’s defense

JJ Redick knows all too well how the Oklahoma City Thunder has decimated his Lakers in the past two regular seasons. With that in mind, when asked what the one thing he has told his players to be careful of, the head coach replied:

Take care of the ball. The reality of their defense is that whatever moments we felt Houston pressuring, like the maximum amount of pressure they put on us, that’s OKC’s baseline. That’s their core. They’re top-five in every category that’s disruptive-based… And they don’t foul. They somehow do all of that without fouling, which is one of the most remarkable things I think in NBA history.

JJ Redick told reporters

The former sharpshooter is a master of statistics and data. After already deducing that the 2025-26 Thunder are one of the best teams in history, the 41-year-old coach made it clear what his team needs to do first.

The biggest emphasis for the Lakers going into their second round series against the Thunder? Taking care of the ball against an OKC team that ranked No. 2 in defensive TOV% this season after being No. 1 last year.

JJ Redick: "The reality of their defense is that whatever… pic.twitter.com/MBYFIq3n6X

— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) May 3, 2026

LeBron James was guilty of a lot of turnovers in the couple of games they lost to the Houston Rockets. That cannot happen if JJ Redick and his Lakers hope to put up a fight against the champions.

Austin Reaves not worried about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s foul-baiting techniques

While JJ Redick harps on about the difficulties in facing the Oklahoma City Thunder, Lakers’ fans might be wondering how the team would handle Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s incessant foul-baiting techniques.

I know that’s a tough topic to talk about because everybody blows it out of proportion. He wants to win and is gonna do whatever it takes to win. If it’s shoot 20 free throws, so be it. If I shoot 20 free throws, I’d be happy. I don’t think that there is any bad intentions with trying to get to the line.

Austin Reaves said

The undrafted star made it clear that most of SGA’s antics have been blown out of proportion, as it is a technique that only he has mastered. If Reaves were to receive 20 free throws a game, he would have loved it.

Austin Reaves was asked about his and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to draw fouls.

"I know that's a tough topic to talk about because everybody blows it out of proportion. He wants to win and is gonna do whatever it takes to win. If it's shoot 20 free throws, so be it. If I… pic.twitter.com/tbwaO2i6e4

— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) May 3, 2026

This acknowledgement might be the reality that most fans find difficult to digest. If Gilgeous-Alexander is so adept at drawing fouls, then teams might as well accept it and find solutions to counter it rather than waste their energy complaining about it.

Also Read:

• Shaquille O’Neal Trolls Hawks After Embarrassing 51-Point Loss Hand Knicks First-Round Series
• Stephen A. Smith Slams Draymond Green’s Criticism of Offensive Struggles Under Steve Kerr