Cameras Catch JJ Redick Abusing 1 Word in Lakers Interview as LeBron’s HC Finds the Biggest Locker Room Issue

It’s definitely not common to witness a coach during a press conference emphasizing a single word throughout the interview. Yet, this is exactly what occurred after the LA Lakers 111 – 88 victory against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. The cameras zoomed in on head coach JJ Redick as he animatedly talked about the game while constantly repeating the word ‘professional’.

Let’s be clear—this wasn’t a case of Redick berating anyone. Instead, he “abused” the word by using it constantly to describe his team’s performance. In fact, “professional” made its way into three separate answers in the first two minutes of the interview! The message was simple: professionalism is key to solving the Lakers’ biggest issue—consistency.

The Lakers won by 23 points and achieved their largest victory of the season. Meanwhile, LeBron James had another brilliant game as he put up a triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists. Anthony Davis also stood out with 29 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. Redick was right in calling that team a ‘professional’ group. It was not only that they played well, but there were also indications that they were starting to become more reliable defensively.

For Redick, professionalism is about more than just a neat and tidy appearance. It’s about approach, execution, and consistency. “I think it just starts with a very professional approach from our team,” Redick said. “That was one of our more complete games regardless of what time of season it was or what the opponent, who the opponent was. We just, we had a really professional approach.”

These weren’t throwaway comments. Redick was making it clear that the Lakers’ success on the floor depends heavily on their mindset and preparation. While they’ve had their ups and downs, he believes consistency is key. If they bring that professional approach every night, the Lakers can go far. With a 23-18 record, currently the sixth seed in the Western Conference, Redick’s message is resonating.

“We executed at a pretty high level,” Redick continued. “I mean, even the shots we were able to generate from three were great. We got some good looks, some good spacing that allowed us to attack where we didn’t finish. I thought it was a great offensive game for us. We probably didn’t have an insane offensive rating game, but it was highly professional from us.”

The focus on being ‘professional’ has a greater aim, which is to work towards this goal.

JJ Redick wants the Lakers to adapt this approach consistently, especially for the big showdown against Boston

In this instance, JJ Redick is cognizant of the fact that there is always room to grow. He is pushing the team to keep their eyes on the prize, especially with the upcoming game against the Boston Celtics this Thursday. If that is the case, they will steadily advance their level of play and competition.

“I really love our group,” JJ Redick added. “And I really love our group when we’re connected and we play professional competitive basketball and we execute. We’re a really, really good team when we do that.” These words weren’t just praise—they were a reminder. Redick wants the Lakers to stay united, trust the system, and keep that professional edge. Only then can they keep building on their recent success.

Although teamwork is important for success, we also need to highlight personal achievements. LeBron James became only the second player to achieve a triple-double after crossing the age of 40, only behind Karl Malone.

Ultimately, Redick’s post-game interview wasn’t just a vocabulary lesson. It was a lesson in leadership. By constantly stressing “professionalism,” he made a key point: it’s all about consistency and sticking to the process. The Lakers are finding their rhythm, and if they stay locked into this “professional” mindset, great things could be on the horizon. Redick and the team are aiming higher, and if they keep their focus, the sky’s the limit.