JJ Redick’s Old Wounds Could Hamper Lakers Gig As Doc Rivers Breaks Silence Over Ugly Accusations

As JJ Redick buckled up amidst the new job rumors, Doc Rivers threw shade at him over an old accusation. In the last few days, the former LA Clippers star made waves in the NBA world, after reports of him filling the LA Lakers‘ coaching job vacancy were at their peak. However, the rumor mill seems to have taken a dent after the Bucks coach finally responded to Redick’s public accusations against him!

A few months back, sitting alongside Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe on ESPN, Redick took potshots at Rivers amid his poor run. He said, “It’s always an excuse. It’s always throwing your team under the bus… Now he wants to take credits for the James Harden trade to the Clippers… There is never accountability with that guy.”

While Rivers didn’t respond until the Bucks’ postseason run, recently he joined The Stephen A. Smith Show and broke his silence. He said, “JJ has had a problem with me for a while… But I am fine with that. Usually they all come back… JJ Redick best numbers of his career was under one coach and you’re looking at him. I’m the one who grabbed him out of Milwaukee and decided to start him. From that point on, his career took off.”

It wasn’t just JJ Redick, Doc Rivers did face a lot of criticism ever since he took over the Milwaukee Bucks mid-season. And, the short-handed side’s playoff run came to an end early after a poor 17-19 regular season record under him. While the veteran coach ignored all the other noise, he decided to respond to his former player. That too he didn’t want any feud.

Rivers, in his statement, mentioned Redick’s offensive growth as a player under him. Certainly, there aren’t any second guesses. Before joining Rivers’ Clippers side, Redick played a season with the Bucks where he averaged 12.3 points, and it rose to a consistent average of 15 points.

Can Doc Rivers’ counter affect JJ Redick’s Lakers gig?

There isn’t any clarity on the affair, but Rivers didn’t want any feud. Speaking of Redick further in the podcast, he revealed that he has “nothing but love for JJ” and also wished him best for the rumored Lakers gig. Rivers added, “Personally, I really hope he gets the job because then he’ll understand some of the things that he has a problem with me and other coaches that you hear on his podcast.”

While Rivers expressed his wishes for the former player’s rumored job, the NBA world already witnessed the camaraderie between LeBron and Redick on their latest podcast. It was the exact thing missing in the relationship between Darvin Ham and James. There were multiple reports of James ignoring the huddle and his frustrations with Ham.

However, in this scenario, the superstar has already broken the ice with Redick off the court. And, from here on, it’s only growth in their relationship. Moreover, Bronny James’ inclusion on the team is also on the cards. So the father-son duo could start the next season, with the chance of hopefully turning into a first ring between them!

Will the Redick-James union do the trick for the Lakers? Let us know in the comments below.