Lakers News: Doc Rivers Wants JJ Redick To Get LA Coaching Job Only For One Reason

Less than two weeks ago, the Lakers fired head coach Darvin Ham after they got eliminated by the Denver Nuggets, yet again. Now, with the head coaching spot wide open, there has been a buzz about JJ Redick taking over the vacant position in LA. Although nothing is certain as of now. As the Lakers are expected to begin the interviews this week, Redick’s former coach Doc Rivers wants JJ to get the head coaching job, so the analyst thinks back at his critique.

Discussing his ongoing issues with Redick and his probable new coaching job, Rivers revealed on The Stephen A. Smith Show, “Personally, I really hope he gets the job because then he’ll understand… he’ll realize it’s not as easy as you think.” Citing an example from the early days of his career, when Rivers was working under Pat Riley in New York, he talked about a heated argument that happened between him and Riley about a situation with the Knicks.

However, when Rivers took the head coaching job himself, he called Riley back and told him, “Coach, I’m sorry for that argument.” He believes Redick might have the same realization after he becomes a head coach. Earlier this season, in February, JJ openly criticized Rivers on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ claiming, “I’ve seen the trend for years. The trend is always making excuses… There’s never accountability with that guy.”

And JJ’s statement soon went viral amid the Bucks’ season struggles after bringing in Rivers in the middle of the season and also because of the history between Rivers and JJ.

The viral beef between Doc Rivers and JJ Redick

In the prime of the Clippers’ Lob City era nearly a decade ago, there was a time when JJ Redick was having the best stretch of his career playing under Doc Rivers. In a team full of superstars and high flyers, Rivers brought in Redick as a sharpshooter to give the team more stability on the outside. The Duke star did not disappoint as he averaged the best numbers of his career until then playing for the Clippers. Then, becoming a key member of the team during their playoff runs, Redick solidified his name as one of the greatest shooters in the league.

But issues seemingly began in the locker room, which even Rivers admitted to during Stephen A.’s podcast when he stopped playing JJ as much, and then later, the Clippers did not bring him back. Rivers said, “JJ has had a problem with me for a while. And that’s fine, players do.”

Moreover, Rivers also took partial credit for JJ’s success, saying, “JJ Redick’s best numbers of his career were under one coach and you’re looking at him.” However, Rivers’ facts were a little off, as JJ’s best career numbers came after he left LA and moved to Philadelphia in 2017, where he averaged a career-high over 18 points in the regular season. And even his playoff numbers improved with the Sixers as he again scored over eighteen on a nightly basis.

Therefore, because of the way things ended in LA, and JJ constantly seeing Rivers make excuses wherever he goes as the head coach, the issues between the two are yet to be resolved. But Rivers believes JJ might eventually come around once he becomes a head coach.

What do you think?