The Lakers fed into the uplifting talks around JJ Redick. They hired the analyst as their next head coach. While it happened days ago, the seeds were sowed weeks in advance. From the time Redick started ‘Mind the Game’, a podcast with LeBron James, his links to the Purple and Gold grew thicker. Many felt the show was a test of Redick’s coaching competence. Ultimately, the Lakers seemed convinced of his abilities to lead the franchise in a promising direction. But not according to Ben Maller, who went on a ruthless rant over “schmuck” JJ Redick.

When rating the Lakers’ move to appoint Redick as the HC, Maller rated it as an ‘E’ saying it was “emasculating”. The podcaster believes Jeanie Buss only hired Redick to please James, who has an option to leave in the offseason. “A pathetic attempt by the Purple and Gold to play cape LeBron. ‘Don’t level LeBron! We need you LeBron. Don’t go LeBron, please. We will hire your buddy’. You have just embarrassed the once proud franchise and hired LeBron’s podcast co-host,” Maller said while incessantly laughing.

It didn’t stop there. He took another dig at Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka on X, stating that Aaron Rodgers will use the same leverage with the New York Jets and hire Joe Rogan, the leading podcaster on multiple platforms. “Aaron Rodgers who will have Joe Rogan coaching the Jets by Week 10,” Maller joked.

The podcaster even called Redick “thin-skinned”, someone with “rabbit ears”, and “unlikeable” and made his sour sentiments over his hiring very clear. As much as the notion lies that LeBron James was the driving force behind his hire, he and his agent Rich Paul have both claimed he isn’t involved at all. While there might have been consultation.

James clearly translated that he wanted the franchise to focus on their future outlook rather than satisfy him. Nonetheless, some degree of involvement can’t be ignored. Furthermore, Anthony Davis was considered to be the bigger priority and Redick even called the skillful center after his hire was made official.

A veteran coach defends JJ Redick from criticism and attempts to reignite “belief” in Jeanie Buss and Co.

Maller isn’t the only person to question Redick’s capacity to be an NBA head coach, let alone the coach of a prestigious club like the Lakers. However, one of the most esteemed names in the game, Mike Krzyzewski shunned such criticism. Having seen Redick grow into a Duke standout and also assisted the Lakers in their head coaching hunt, the Blue Devil icon believes no team would choose a head coach because of their fame.

“To think any organization would hire anybody because of glamour or whatever is ridiculous. Every organization wants to win. If JJ gets a head coaching job, it’ll be because that organization believes that JJ is the best person, the best coach to lead their organization,” Krzyzewski told Fox Sports.

Redick might have never coached, but it isn’t that he is a complete stranger to the NBA. He’s played for over a decade, studied the plays with utmost concentration, and proven his wisdom when he was calling games live. The Lakers too held several meetings and made a carefully thought out decision with choosing Redick. Notably, he was competing with several other head coaches with decorated resumes. The Lakers, though, chose Redick.

The proficiency of their decision will be revealed when the season comes around. As of now, Redick has earned the confidence of the franchise. It’s the first step in a long, complex process.

To know what Shaq’s former agent thinks of Redick’s hiring, be sure to watch our conversation with Leonard Armato in the video below.