Stephen A Smith Deems JJ Redick Worthy Of ‘Coach of The Year’ After Amazing Lakers Run

Stephen A. Smith gives JJ Redick his flowers after an impressive season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Stephen A Smith Deems JJ Redick Worthy Of ‘Coach of The Year’ After Amazing Lakers Run

Stephen A. Smith on JJ Redick (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • JJ Redick has led the Lakers to a strong performance, currently holding a 45-25 record and third place in the Western Conference.
  • Stephen A. Smith has named JJ Redick a candidate for Coach of the Year, praising the team's recent success and chemistry.
  • The Lakers are on an eight-game winning streak, bolstered by Luka Doncic's outstanding performance averaging 40.9 points during this stretch.

The Los Angeles Lakers, led by head coach JJ Redick, seem to have turned their 2025-26 campaign around. With 12 games to go, the Lakers are playing some of their best basketball of the season.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith praised his former ESPN co-panelist Redick for his success with the Lakers this season on his podcast.

So is Joe Mazzulla, no doubt. So is Mitch Johnson San Antonio, no doubt. But JJ Redick is a coach of the year candidate. I’m just looking at the Los Angeles Lakers right now and there’s a buzz that’s fomenting. There’s a buzz that’s developing. There’s something special going on with the Purple and Gold.

Stephen A. Smith on JJ Redick

Stephen A. Smith had worked with JJ Redick during the former player’s brief time as an analyst on ESPN. The two shared good chemistry and were often involved in heated debates on First Take. Hence, it is good to see SAS giving Redick credit where it is due and naming him as a contender for the Coach of the Year award.

When the Lakers hired JJ Redick as their head coach in 2024, it raised several eyebrows due to his lack of experience as a head coach and his very unconventional path to the Lakers’ bench. After a strong start to this season, the Lakers suffered some uneven form in 2026, which led to some criticism of Redick’s coaching.

However, fast forward to today, the Lakers find themselves at third place in a highly competitive Western Conference standings with a 45-25 record. They are also currently on an eight-match winning streak behind only the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are on the biggest active streak currently at 11.

Stephen A. Smith on Luka Doncic’s rich vein of form

It is a no-brainer that Luka Doncic is a special talent. Drafted into the NBA in 2018, Doncic has elevated himself as one of the best players in the league.

After a strong start to the season, there has been a lot of talk surrounding the Slovenian. He was being criticized for his constant nagging of officials and was going through some personal problems as well. But he has been performing at an MVP level on the court over the last two weeks.

Luka Doncic and JJ Redick have been close for 10 years
Luka Doncic and JJ Redick (Image via LADEig/X)

Stephen A. Smith weighed in on Doncic’s form during their winning streak.

Did you know that Luka Doncic averaging 40.9 points and 7.4 assist? Did you know that what he has done over this eight game span that no Laker has ever done in history? Not Shaquille O’Neal, not Kobe Bryant, not Magic Johnson, nobody. Luka got 100 points over the last two games. In each game of this eight-game winning streak, he has scored a minimum of 30. It ain’t like he scored 50 one day and 20 the other. No, he’s consistently scoring over 30 every single damn game.

Stephen A. Smith on Luka Doncic’s form

Luka Doncic is coming off his first 60-point game as a Laker against the Miami Heat. 24 hours prior to the game against the Heat, Doncic had a 40-point game against the Houston Rockets. Hence, in the span of 24 hours, he scored 100 points.

Can the Lakers mount a title challenge under JJ Redick?

The Lakers have had their fair share of critics throughout the season. Many questioned whether they are championship material this year due to their poor defense. But with Doncic playing at an MVP level and with Redick finding his best rotations, several critics have begun to acknowledge their chances this season.

With wins over the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and back-to-back wins over the Houston Rockets, the Lakers have shown that when their trio of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves is firing on all cylinders, they are a very difficult team to beat.

Currently on an eight-match win streak, it looks like the Lakers are starting to peak at the right time and will be a force to reckon with in the playoffs.

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