With the 2024-25 NBA season approaching, newly appointed Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick faces his biggest test yet. The NBA World will test his real basketball IQ, caliber, and mentoring skills. There’ve always been doubts about his performance. Some say that his budding performance with LeBron James helped him bag this position, and others try to put him down for his lack of coaching skills. People cannot help but draw comparisons to Erik Spoelstra here, as Redick aims to reshape the storied franchise.

Patrick Beverly is one of those people. The 2017 NBA All-Defensive first-team player discusses Redick-Spoelstra comparisons on a segment of The OGs’ podcast. “I think he’s (Redick) firm. And if you’re firm as a coach, you’re going to have success,” said Patrick Beverley.

“That’s how SPO (Spoelstra) was. I’m not comparing JJ Redick to SPO, I’m not doing that, but SPO was firm. The way SPO talked to me, he talked to Bron the same way. So, I couldn’t even have no room for error like that.” The former player later added, “A firm coach in the NBA is a successful coach.”

Spoelstra was promoted to the head coach position of the franchise back in 2008, just when the franchise was undergoing some significant changes. In his first four years, the Heat almost close in its chance to possess the Larry O’Brien trophy, but never were able to cross the finish line. By the time 2012 occurred, the coach made some downsizing changes that helped turn things around. Those changes were just one part, however, as the coach also possessed a quality that Redick may need to maintain when handling his franchise.

In a segment of ‘The OGs’ podcast, 2017 NBA All-Defensive first-team player Patrick Beverley tuned in for a conversation. It kicked off with the host, two-time NBA champion Mike Miller, highlighting the need for the Miami Heat head coach to receive some praise. Spoelstra was promoted to the head coach position of the franchise back in 2008, just when the franchise was undergoing some significant changes. In his first four years, the Heat almost close in its chance to possess the Larry O’Brien trophy, but never were able to cross the finish line. By the time 2012 occurred, the coach made some downsizing changes that helped turn things around. Those changes were just one part, however, as the coach also possessed a quality that Redick may need to maintain when handling his franchise.

There is a reason why Erik Spoelstra is one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA, possessing an eight-year contract that pays him $120 million over the period. For Patrick Beverley, that reason is behind his ability to manage diverse personalities which may or may not possess a certain amount of ego.

While not many egoistic players are known to make up the Los Angeles Lakers roster, it is important to remember that the team does hold LeBron James and Anthony Davis, two prominent veterans and high scorers. Over his 21-year NBA career, the All-Time Leading scorer has created a reputation of not always being on the same level as his coaches, earning him the nickname ‘Coach Killer.’

Bron’s dissatisfaction with the former Lakers HC, Darvin Ham, was quite apparent. According to a report by Lakers Daily journalist Andrew Irwin, LeBron could be seen rolling his eyes when Ham was passing out instructions in the locker room. After the latter left the room, the player would tell his teammates to ignore everything and follow his lead. Some believe that things may be different between LeBron and JJ Redick, since both served as co-hosts of their own ‘Mind The Game’ podcast. However, their friendship may take a backseat when Redick is elevated to the HC position, and would have to pass down instructions to players who have more accolades than him.

The Lakers franchise, which possesses the second-highest number of championship records after the Boston Celtics, would not have picked someone like JJ Redick on a whim. Having placed the confidence, it is now up to Redick to put himself on the same level as Erik Spoelstra. Fortunately, the coaching strategies he has laid out will give him a good starting point.

What coaching strategies does JJ Redick wish to implement in his first season with the Lakers?

After being introduced by Rob Pelinka as the new HC, JJ Redick was quick to lay out his plans for the upcoming season. After all, due to his inexperience, the former player not only has to win over the fans but the team management as well. For this, he has devised a unique strategy that takes a conventional turn from the previous seasons: building the roster around Anthony Davis.

An aging LeBron may not remain in the NBA for long. He’s close to 40 now! So even while his recent extension would allow him to play alongside his teammates and son Bronny for two years, Redick is already looking to put the second-in-command, Anthony Davis, at the forefront.

“Redick described a system molded around this roster, focusing on elevating Anthony Davis’ involvement, particularly late in games, and alleviating the constant ballhandling duties on James by utilizing him more off the ball,” wrote The Athletic reporter Jovan Buha. “Keeping James, who turns 40 in December, fresh down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs will be critical.”

For now, Redick has stated that both AD and LeBron are “obviously going to be offensive hubs.” However, he emphasized that the roster will need to play with more movement and more cutting. With Davis having averaged 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists during the recent regular season, providing more minutes may only lead to that stat going higher. Furthermore, with the player being 31, he could be the central man of the team for almost a decade.

The Miami Heat put their faith in Erik Spoelstra, and it paid off. Now, it is time for the Lakers players and fans to do that with their new pick.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.