Coach JJ Redick’s Unheard Power Can Put LeBron’s Authority Over Lakers at Risk, Claims Ex-Teammate

Tyronn Lue decided to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers with a lucrative offer from his team. At present, JJ Redick is the most potential candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers head coach position. Notably, Redick is an ESPN analyst and does a podcast titled ‘Mind The Game’ with LeBron James. Therefore, the NBA community has been raising concerns that getting Redick some relevance before acquiring the coach position was all pre-planned. Especially the major concern was that, on the other hand, LeBron might govern the team due to his friendly relations.

However, JJ Redick’s ex-colleague has reflected the skills that might give him the advantage to dominate over the Lakers team. Ryan Hollins, one of Redick’s teammates from High School team AAU, said on Fox Sports Radio, “He’s a guy in so many words is going to be able to tell LeBron when to shut up and to let him do his job.” Further explaining how Redick is going to manage everything, Hollins took reference from Steve Kerr. When Kerr debuted as a coach, he also had no prior experience, but he completely justified his role. Moreover, he emerged as one of the most accurate coaches in the NBA.

Still, the question was still there: how would JJ Redick say no to LeBron James when no one yet has the guts to do it? Ryan’s co-host, Dan Beyer, shared the same query, to which Hollins replied, “When I played with JJ, he’s always been a guy who can speak his mind. …he’s a lot of respect and had respect in the locker rooms that I’ve been with.” Apparently, it seems like JJ has the thing for which the NBA community was questioning him.

LeBron James’ friend believes in JJ Redick’s energy for the Lakers

Ex-Lakers teammate and friend of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, shared his opinion of Redick being a potential coach candidate. While speaking to Sports Illustrated, Anthony stated why Redick has become suitable for the job. Over the years, JJ stayed away from the game and studied it thoroughly. Moreover, he also talked to coaches and GMs of teams and used to attend different training camps, which fed data on plays into his mind and the operations of different players and teams.

As per Anthony, the path that JJ Redick took is the same as the path of renowned NBA coach Steve Kerr. Currently coaching the Golden State Warriors, Kerr had a similar approach to guiding the players. However, operating with LeBron will be difficult for Redick as well, Carmelo mentioned in his interview. “I know the mind of [LeBron James], and if you got a mind on the intellectual standard, we gonna get along. But the minute that you start thinking that you know more than me, we got a problem.” That’s how James’ behavior is toward people, according to his former NBA colleague.

Yet, JJ Redick has an opportunity, and he can make the most of it. More than LeBron, it is the championship that the Lakers are dreaming of. If Redick can guide the purple and gold jerseys to the title, no one is ever going to question him again. What are your opinions on the probable coach-to-be? Can he handle one of the scrutinized coaching positions in the NBA? Comment your thoughts and do check out what Shaq’s confidante and ex-agent, Leonard Armato, thinks about the marketing genius.