Since the last few weeks, fans have gotten to know new Lakers head coach JJ Redick as a close companion of lead scorer LeBron James. However, what about the rest of the latter’s teammates? After all, during the coaching search, it was well reported that Anthony Davis had his own choice for the top position, someone with more experience and caliber than Redick. In light of how things eventually turned out to be, both Redick and Davis have now shown enthusiasm towards working together.

This new-found professional relationship is even causing Redick to walk away from his previous mistakes. During his time as an ESPN analyst, he reportedly chose to not vote for Anthony Davis for the Defensive Player of the Year Award. With the final decision on the recipient being made via media voting, Redick’s vote went a huge way in not giving Davis the title he so coveted. On top of that, he also did not choose to vote for Davis when the All-Defensive ballot came out. Now, in an interview with Sirius XM Radio earlier today, the new HC is looking to clarify his latter action.

“Well, there’s a big difference in being a top ten defender, and making an all-defense team. That there’s a distinction between the two,” said Redick. “Anthony Davis is one of the two or three best defensive players in the NBA.” The 40-year-old revealed that his decisions have always been influenced based on a particular player’s stats, his advanced stats, his team’s performance on defense, etc.

Despite not receiving JJ Redick’s vote of confidence, Anthony Davis did end up being named to the All-Defensive First Team during the most recent NBA season. While he landed in fourth place for the DPOY award, media members united to provide the Lakers star with 60 first-team votes and 31 second-team votes to accumulate a total of 151 voting points.

Anthony Davis’s defensive performance during the 2023-24 season allowed his talents to finally be recognized after more than three years of snubs. After all, it would have been hard to miss how the 31-year-old managed the defensive interior for his roster and ended up being reportedly ranked as #1 among Centers when it came to three-point field goal contests. Furthermore, Davis ranked in the top 10 at the field goals contested at the rim and also recorded the 6 best defensive field goal percentage amongst the other field of players.

However, while Davis had a good track record as a defender, the same couldn’t have been said about the Lakers as a whole, since they ranked #28 in terms of opponent three-point field goals made. This may have influenced Redick’s decision to vote for someone else. Nonetheless, the dust has settled between the two.

Anthony Davis calls his partnership with JJ Redick a challenging yet “fun” experience: “We have to come in and have this collaboration.”

In the aftermath of JJ Redick being selected as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, many doubted him getting along with Anthony Davis. Aparat from Davis’s initial choice for the position being New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach James Borrego, the All-Defensive ballot controversy was thought to have caused some friction. However, former ESPN reporter Marc Stein provided an update on the 22 of June that “JJ Redick’s refusal to place Anthony Davis on his All-Defense ballot this season is a topic both parties can set aside with little fuss now that Redick is Davis’ coach.”

The player himself would later choose to share his thoughts on JJ Redick. In a statement made during the recent Team USA training camp, Davis revealed that he and LeBron James would work with the head coach to find out what each of them likes and what will be brought to the table among other factors.

“We know it’s not going to be done in one day, one week, one month, but we have to come in and have this collaboration and take it one day at a time, one step at a time and continue to grow,” said Davis. “He is a first-time head coach and this is going to be a new system for all of us… It’s going to be a challenging experience but also fun.”

JJ Redick’s lack of experience as a coach was a factor that was diminishing his legitimacy as a candidate. However, with time, and a little help from Anthony Davis and LeBron James, the 40-year-old may end up finding his footing.

Before leaving, be sure to check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about the Lakers legend’s infamous feud with the late Kobe Bryant.