Inheriting a Challenge: JJ Redick's Daunting New Role with the Lakers
The Appointment
JJ Redick has stepped into one of the most daunting jobs in the NBA, officially accepting the role as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. This four-year deal, announced on Thursday, not only marks a significant milestone in Redick’s career but also aligns him with one of the most storied franchises in the league. However, the truly significant challenge ahead is not just coaching the Lakers but coaching LeBron James.
The LeBron Factor
When it comes to the degree of difficulty, coaching LeBron ranks almost as high as it gets. LeBron remains a stunning talent, and with Anthony Davis by his side, the potential for success is undeniably present. For any budding head coach, the opportunity to lead a team that includes such high-profile players is a career-elevating prospect.
Coaching the Los Angeles Lakers is undoubtedly a big-time opportunity, one of just 30 such jobs on the planet, accompanied by the prestige of the iconic purple and gold colors. But it also comes with relentless pressure to win immediately. Unlike most, LeBron’s exacting standards, frenetic drive, and fluctuating interpersonal dynamics can make him exceptionally challenging to coach.
The Coaching Precedent
LeBron’s career history with coaches underscores the challenge Redick faces. Over his awe-inspiring career, LeBron has had eight full-time head coaches. Only two — Erik Spoelstra and Ty Lue — survived without being dismissed during his tenure. Five coaches were fired, and Luke Walton "mutually parted ways" with the Lakers in 2019 before moving to the Sacramento Kings.
In 2010, during his first year in Miami, LeBron wanted Spoelstra fired, showcasing that even basketball royalty like LeBron cannot always rule by decree. This incident highlighted Pat Riley’s rare ability to tell LeBron no and navigate the complexities of managing such an influential player.
Ty Lue took over after David Blatt, who was ousted despite a 30-11 record in 2016. Lue led the team to an NBA Championship that year, proving success can follow a tumultuous mid-season coaching change. It’s essential to note that winning a title with LeBron does not guarantee job security, as seen with Frank Vogel, who was dismissed just two seasons after coaching the Lakers to an NBA championship.
The High Stakes
Saying that coaching LeBron James is a poisoned chalice would be overly simplistic and would ignore his greatness. However, the job isn't exactly a fountain of youth either. LeBron's imposing presence in both front offices and locker rooms, coupled with his willingness to wield power, establishes an environment where a coach must deftly navigate potential volatility.
Much like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, LeBron’s intensity and drive can both propel teams to greatness and create challenging situations for coaches. Stars shine bright but can also burn intensely, often testing the resilience and adaptability of those around them.
The Current Laker Landscape
The current state of the Lakers further complicates Redick’s task. The tandem of LeBron and Anthony Davis has not been enough to reclaim dominance. For the past two seasons, the Lakers have been decisively eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs. With LeBron turning 40 this year, and the Western Conference looking incredibly competitive — possibly 13 teams deep — the likelihood of the Lakers missing the playoffs in Redick's first season is real.
The Unknowns Surrounding Redick
Questions abound as Redick embarks on this new chapter. Does his podcast partnership with LeBron offer any shield from the criticisms and challenges of leading a potentially underperforming Lakers team? Can his temperament, humility, and media management skills help ride out the inevitable tough times? Does his brief broadcasting stint equip him with the insight necessary to navigate the complexities of coaching in the NBA? And most crucially, can he actually coach at this level?
Perhaps, the answer to these questions will be an emphatic yes. Redick is about to face these significant tests, which could define this new stage of his professional journey. Under the most challenging conditions — coaching LeBron James — the stakes are high, and the onus will undoubtedly fall on Redick to steer the course. Only time will tell if he can rise to the occasion and lead the Lakers to success.