If there’s anyone who has perfectly caught on the Lakers’ nerves, it has to be JJ Redick. But oh! He’s a LeBron James recruit, isn’t he? The podcaster who suddenly turned into the head coach of the elite 17-banner franchise. Questionable. Highly questionable. But, well, let’s not feed into Stephen A.’s theories here. The 40-year-old rookie coach has done a commendable job in his first year. However, his command style also reminds the Akron Hammer why he hated the Duke, it’s the demeanor, you see.

Sitting in Pat McAfee’s studio, the LeBronversation drifted from one topic to another. And as candid as always, the Chosen One chose to reply unapologetically and unfiltered. Speaking of JJ Redick, Bron mocked and replied, “He is a great podcaster.” Wait, was this a little hit at SAS? It might be; who knows? But besides JJ, LeBron has a few concerns about his teammates. Well, not just about Luka Doncic adjusting to the Lakers’ system, but also about Austin Reaves.

AR is one of Redick’s prized possessions; “vital” is the word the coach had used for the 26-year-old. On the court, he has proven to be one of the greatest helpers for the LA Lakers. However, with the playoffs ahead, LeBron simply cannot afford to be in a risky position of losing games or having injured players. “Look at myself in AR-15. We got you all cleaning at the same time. And we know it’s going to happen throughout a playoff game where I may not be making my shots or whatever. AR’s not making the shots, or Luka,” James stated.

LeBron emphasizes the need for focus and execution in the playoffs, where even one possession can decide a series. He highlights that he, Austin Reaves, and Luka Doncic must stay in sync and lead in their own ways—whether vocally or through their play. Regardless of shooting struggles, they must remain engaged and ensure the whole team follows the game plan, as the coaching staff will prepare them for success.

“We have to make sure we have everybody into him,” LeBron James said for Austin Reaves. In situations where Bron and Doncic are failing, the team on the court must make sure AR15 gets his set pieces to make it to the paint, to bring the points, and to bind everyone together. Moreover, JJ Redick won’t send the player to “boost chase” in the games. “They’re (coaching staff) gonna make sure we know what the hell we need to do to get the job done, and sometimes you guys are mine again,” LeBron James further added.

Speaking of JJ Redick, LeBron has a lot to talk about his new head coach. After all, he is often accused of conspiring to have the 40-year-old lead the show. But well, those are just assumptions that Stephen A. Smith loves to believe in.

LeBron James hit JJ Redick with friendly jabs as the Lakers’ HC’s odd habit comes to light

“I think one thing about JJ is, the man he bleeds the game, and he bleeds the game of basketball every single game,” James Sr. said of his head coach. “He’s one of those guys that, he’s kind of just like me, like, if we, if we lose a game or we didn’t play up, the bar is.” However, if only Redick gave his team some time to slumber a bit. LeBron James says that Redick has no concept of sleeping at night. You move from one game to the next and then to the next again.

“There’s no such thing as sleeping at night. It’s very; there’s no such thing as sleeping until the next match or the next game, and he’s just determined. And I love it,” LeBron James admitted. Surely, the rookie head coach isn’t passing on his habit of staying awake to players awake or something like that. This might be his style of working overtime to make sure he has the right strategies for winning the games.

Now, coming back to Duke, where Redick is an alumna and a legend, to begin with. LeBron confessed: “When I was a kid, I used to watch Duke. Now, I realize it. I hated Duke when I was growing up.” Maybe it was because of how Coach K commanded the team that truly didn’t sit with LeBron’s likings. Until he got to play under the legend for Team USA. And maybe JJ Redick‘s style of coaching resonates with Coach K, so it brings back memories of the days when he hated Duke and JJ to some extent.

So, what’s the verdict? LeBron respects Redick, but the Duke connection still stings a little. The man never sleeps, bleeds basketball, and somehow went from podcasting to coaching the Lakers. Questionable? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely. As for AR-15, he’s crucial, and Bron knows it. Playoff time is coming, and there’s no room for slip-ups.