“It fits in their behaviour” JJ Redick calls out Lakers for involving Phil Jackson in coaching hunt
Follow Us
JJ Redick on former coach Phil Jackson
JJ Redick believes the Los Angeles Lakers are ‘making a mistake’ as they look towrds Phil Jackson to join their coaching staff for next season. The 2021-22 NBA season did not go as planned for the basketball giants In Los Angeles. Boasting a star-studded lineup, with One of the All-Time Greats, LeBron James himself, and two future Hall of Famers in Anthony Davis and freshly traded, Russell Westbrook, the Lakers looked scary on paper. However, the ‘Shooting Stars’ could not fulfill their wishes as they ended the season with a poor 33-49 record, missing put on the playoffs.
Former NBA player and current ESPN analyst J.J. Redick was aghast with the Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to allow former head coach Phil Jackson to advice the team in its coaching search ahead of the 2022-23 season. The Lakers need to make nail the right choice for their next head coach, as the team has to maximize the experience and compliment the skillset of LeBron James and Anthony Davis next season. James is an ageing veteran, and his days of single-handedly carrying a team to the playoffs may be behind him. The Lakers missed the playoffs in the 2021-22 season under Frank Vogel, and he was promptly let go following the conclusion of the regular season.
Also Read : “LeBron does it, KD does it, Steph does it, that’s the…
JJ Redick is not a fan of Phil Jackson…
Redick isn’t too happy about the fact that Phil Jackson was involved in the Lakers’ search for a new head coach. The Duke’s former standout has slammed the Lakers for his pattern of behavior, which sees him making the wrong decisions year after year. According to Redick, the fact that LA has only made it to the second round of the playoffs once in the last decade is clear proof of that.
“The idea that they’re going to bring Phil Jackson in to help find a coach, given his track record as a New York executive and the hires he’s made — again, it’s a pattern,” said Redick (h/t Lakers’ Peter Dewey daily). “That fits with their behavior pattern. Other teams will not be susceptible to this.” Redick said .
Phil Jackson was a feared coach that won 11 titles (6 with Chicago Bulls, 5 with the Lakers). However, his final stint in the NBA with the New York Knicks ended disastrously and Jackson hasn’t had a job in the NBA since. As a Lakers coach, Jackson had a legendary stint winning five rings between 2000 and 2010. With the Lakers possibly bringing him back, a player that once lost to a Jackson-led team in the Finals, J.J. Redick went off on the Lakers possibly making that decision.
Redick isn’t the only one who has lashed out at the Lakers for Phil Jackson’s current role in their decision-making. His ‘First take’ Co-host, Stephen A. Smith also launched an even tougher attack against Jackson and the Lakers, expressing how he’s still salty about Jackson’s performance as the Knicks’ top manager.
Phil could not adapt when the league was changing in the 2010s, it’ll be much harder for him to analyze what coach would be perfect for them right now. The Lakers front office has to clean up their own mess, getting Jackson to give his thoughts and then blame it on him if the coaching choice doesn’t work out, is not going to end well for the franchise. This organization has a lot of work to do, but the question remains, will Phil Jackson restore his and Lakers’ lost legacy or will it all spiral down again, only time will tell !
Also Read : “LeBron does it, KD does it, Steph does it, that’s the…
Also Read : “I’m actually working on getting my relationship back with one of…
Stay Updated!
FS Desk
(8024 Articles Published)