JJ Redick had both a good night and a bad night. The new Lakers coach started with the lineup that had recorded some success in the past two seasons, and looking at the matchup from a bird’s point of view, did pretty well. However, with the Purple & Gold, things are rarely as simple as that, no?

Fans are up in arms against Redick’s decision to give Dalton Knecht the potential go-ahead three-pointer in the last seconds backfired terribly, given that the ball harmlessly bounced off the rim. The Suns were already up with a comfortable lead, but the young players who received time to shine were merciless in their attack, cutting the deficit to two in the last 12 seconds.

And that’s when Dalton and JJ happened. Needless to say, it resulted in heavy backlash. Take, for instance, this guy. “Yeah JJ plan for the Lajers [Lakers] to shoot as many 3s aint it.” You don’t need us to remind you of Redick’s goal for the Lakers going into the season, now, do you?

Multiple players, specifically, every one of the starting five except D’Angelo Russell, revealed to various reporters that JJ has encouraged them to shoot more threes.

Going back to Knecht, though, the 23-year-old has often been compared to JJ Redick for their similar playing style. An elite sharpshooter during his time as a player, the Duke alum seemed quite ecstatic at the chance of signing Dalton. In fact, if you remember, Rob Pelinka said, “I was joking with Coach Redick upstairs that we found a movement shooter to match his skills as a player. And he already had his whiteboard out drawing up pindowns and ATOs and actions where he could run a movement shooter off screen.”

And as for the guy in question, the Lakers No. 17 pick revealed that he had watched Redick’s film in college. Since KCP’s time as a Laker, no one has come close to perfecting come off-screens and knock down shots. Add the fact that he will have one of the best teammates to play alongside as a movement shooter in LeBron James and the perfect coach to maximize his skills, Dalton Knecht is ideally in the best position.

Unfortunately, tonight wasn’t the night for either the coach or his protégé. And the fans let him know that.

JJ Redick’s gamble on Knecht falls short in the Lakers’ loss to Suns

Perhaps this fan does not want to believe that Redick’s strategy failed as he claims one of the assistant coaches has drawn the play up. “Looked like St Jean was the one who drew up the play.” Greg St. Jean is the coach in question here. And as much as I hate to disappoint, even if he did do so, the chances of anyone blaming the California native.

For one, he has extensive knowledge and experience in coaching. St. Jean previously worked as an assistant coach for the Mavs and Suns, before which he had a short stint with the Purple & Gold (2019-21) under Coach Vogel. In addition, coaching runs in his blood. Greg’s father, Garry St. Jean, worked as an assistant coach from 1980 to 1992, followed by a head coach stint with the Kings (1992-’97). St. Jean Sr. also saw his duties increase later as a GM of the Warriors doubling as a HC from 1999 to 2000, as well.

Yet another fan took it to a whole other level.

“yeah

don’t believe it. JJ Redick as bad as Ham.” Supporting this guy, this next user remarked, “all the Darvin Ham disses are gonna look funnier as the year goes on… JJ Redick is worse than Ham, as hard as that is to imagine. .#Lakers“

It certainly is hard to imagine. But we are just getting started. And on paper, everything looks good. As do the players’ mindset. And finally, this guy decided to drop just a GIF.

Well, thoughts?