In a recent episode of ‘Hoops Tonight’ with Jason Timpf, Jovan Buha shed light on how JJ Redick impressed the Lakers’ top brass during his interview, ultimately securing the head coaching position. Buha highlighted that Redick’s approach and demeanor stood out significantly.
“So JJ met on Saturday. He had previously met with Rob Pelinka, spoken with him multiple times over the course of multiple weeks but this was his first chance to meet with Jeanie Buss, Joey Buss, Jesse Buss, and the real stakeholders in the Lakers and have conversations with them.”
“So you know my understanding was he met individually with each person and then there was also some group conversations but you know each person had their own set of questions and different parts of the organization and just you know basketball philosophy that they wanted to break down with him and again I was told he was incredibly impressive.”
“I was told JJ was the most personable, was just the most detailed and he had you know multiple answers for any hypothetical that they were throwing at him. So one thing that he really pitched himself on was like I know I don’t have any coaching experience at the professional level but I’m going to be adaptable.”
“I’m going to come in with an open mind and I’m not coming from a certain coaching tree or a certain coaching philosophy like I’m going to be establishing this in this position and I’m going to adapt to the roster and the season and how things are going.”
During his interview, Redick met with several key figures within the Lakers organization, including Jeanie Buss, Joey Buss, Jesse Buss, and other stakeholders. While he had previously interacted with Rob Pelinka, this was his first opportunity to present his vision directly to the team’s decision-makers.
Each individual had their own set of questions, focusing on different aspects of basketball philosophy and organizational strategy. Redick’s responses were reportedly the most detailed and adaptable among the candidates, which included James Borrego and Dan Hurley.
One of the critical points in Redick’s pitch was his willingness to adapt. He acknowledged his lack of professional coaching experience but emphasized his flexibility and openness to different coaching strategies.
“I think coming from you know the situation with Darvin Ham and how that unfolded. There was an element of stubbornness with a lot of his mistakes and that was really the the biggest gripe with Darvin Ham, was you know just the lack of adaptability with the rotation, with lineups, with his coaching philosophies, be it pick and roll schemes or how the offense was being run.”
“Darvin Ham was you know married to his philosophies and JJ Redick came in and had basically the exact opposite approach of I’m willing to adapt and continue to adapt and continue to tinker and try different things.”
This approach contrasted sharply with the rigidity often associated with previous coach Darvin Ham, whose reluctance to adjust his strategies and rotations had been a significant point of contention. Redick’s promise to continually adapt and refine his methods resonated well with the Lakers’ leadership.
“The other thing which I think is arguably like it’s not X’s and O’s, it’s not basketball strategy but his communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with players and command the locker room and get a level of buy-in was something that really appealed to them.”
“Frank Vogel lost the locker room in his final season. Darvin Ham lost the locker room in his final season and part of it was you know with Frank, I think he’s on the nicer side he’s a bit soft-spoken. With Darvin, there’s elements of that but there was also some elements of disorganization in terms of game plan and strategy.”
“I think JJ not only having a certain level of adaptability and coming in with an open mind of like, I want to collaborate with the front office, collaborate with the players, and really make sure everyone is buying into the same vision of how we are running this team.” (15:50)
Moreover, Redick’s exceptional communication skills were a significant factor in his favor. Buha noted that effective communication and the ability to command the locker room were areas where the Lakers had previously struggled.
Both Frank Vogel and Darvin Ham faced challenges in maintaining clear, consistent communication with players, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction within the team. Redick’s ability to communicate directly, honestly, and effectively was seen as a vital asset that could foster better relationships and clearer expectations within the team.
Redick’s approach of collaborating with both the front office and the players, ensuring everyone is aligned with the team’s vision, was another appealing aspect. His ability to have open and honest conversations, even when they are tough, positioned him as a candidate who could navigate the complexities of managing a high-profile team like the Lakers.
JJ Redick’s adaptability, communication prowess, and collaborative mindset distinguished him from other candidates, ultimately leading to his selection as the Lakers’ head coach.
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