JJ Redick gives fans glimpse of Kobe Bryant mentality after securing playoff spot

Los Angeles Lakers hired an inexperienced JJ Redick to steer their team to a better record than his predecessor.

JJ Redick gives fans glimpse of Kobe Bryant mentality after securing playoff spot

JJ Redick channels his inner Kobe Bryant in declaring the job is not done

When the Los Angeles Lakers hired JJ Redick to be their next head coach, the idea was to start winning down the line. They did have expectations this season, but the top brass was expecting some growing pains.

That happens when a new coach with a new philosophy comes in. However, they did have LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the team, and they had a collective goal to win the NBA title. Therefore, Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka expected the team to at least fight for playoff spots.

YouTube video

The team started well and gave the impression that they were the reincarnation of the Showtime Lakers. But soon after, a lack of effort and other performance problems resulted in embarrassing losses. That is when the likes of Charles Barkley and others claimed Redick would be another scapegoat.

Soon after that criticism, Luka Doncic arrived, and the Lakers rallied behind that excitement to a second-place finish. Then, an injury to LeBron James and others derailed their run. After he returned, the team did enough to secure third place. When JJ Redick was asked about the significance of this, he replied.

It’s not done. I spent all of three and a half minutes on the flight back from Dallas just thinking about making the playoffs. There is so much work we have to do.

JJ Redick said

The first-year head coach acknowledged that coaches are judged by their regular season wins and losses. But right now, his focus is on the playoffs. He brought his Kobe Bryant-esque mindset when suggesting the job was not done.

LeBron James lauds JJ Redick for 50-win achievement

When JJ Redick was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, many believed it was LeBron James who helped him get the job. King James has ridiculed that comment, but since today was a special day for his former podcast partner, he had to post something.

Man I was going to say something but it’s useless at this point in my career! Anyways more important CONGRATULATIONS JJ on a 50 win season in the WEST & Post Season nod! That’s (fire emoticons)

LeBron James wrote

The 40-year-old knows how hard it is to win fifty games in a season, let alone as a first-year head coach. He also knows that Redick had to cycle through multiple iterations of the team to end up with a rotation that works.

The superstar knows how special this achievement is, considering it will be the first time since the 2019-20 season that the Lakers have finished in the top three in the West. They have also seemingly won the Pacific division. The last time that happened, they won the bubble championship.

Redick set 50 wins as his goal

JJ Redick knew all too well that as soon as he took up the job of being the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, a target would be on his back. Time and again fans and the media have overtly scrutinized the Lakers coach, and many have faltered along the way.

But he was confident in his abilities and what he was going to do with the team. That is why he set a goal of 50 wins this season that surprisingly, he ended up matching. Rui Hachimura revealed this to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

Rui Hachimura said JJ Redick told the team that when he was hired by the Lakers, his goal for Year 1 was to win 50 games and secure the No. 3 seed. ‘And he did it,’ Hachimura said.

Dave McMenamin wrote

This means the 40-year-old head coach was realistic enough to know what he could achieve. Surprisingly, he achieved it despite having a different roster than what he started. Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis are totally different players. This means, he adjusted on the fly, and it worked.