JJ Redick is laying down the standard for the Lakers this season. During the team’s annual media day, the head coach said every player must embrace “championship shape, championship communication, and championship habits,” stressing that it’s a daily grind, not just a slogan.
“We’re going to ask guys to be in championship shape, have championship communication, and championship habits… It’s a daily commitment,” said Redick. “Our guys this summer have been awesome, and I know LeBron is always committed to those things. Luka’s been committed. It’s a daily commitment and [Nick] Saban has this thing where he says ‘Don’t tell me, show me’ and that’s what we’re asking of our players.”
As always, the Lakers are in total win-now mode. With LeBron James on an expiring contract and Luka Doncic locked in for the foreseeable future, the pressure is on for this team to challenge for a top spot in the standings. Among the many variables that will play a role, JJ Redick’s voice cannot be ignored.
Redick has only been on the job for a year, but his impact has been massive. Before he arrived in 2024, the franchise was on a downward spiral, looking for ways to bounce back after several disappointing seasons. They lacked any real identity, and the players were disconnected in more ways than one.
So when Rob Pelinka fired Darvin Ham, he knew the next hire had to be the right one. Initially, he looked to UConn coach Dan Hurley to step in and light a fire under the team. Of course, he famously refused the opportunity, and that’s when they hired Redick.
Despite having no coaching experience on the professional level, the Lakers trusted Redick to instill the right culture in the locker room and create a championship environment that would foster success. In his first season, he proved to be very effective in that mission, maximizing the role players while helping stars like LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Luka Doncic find their peak.
Going into this campaign, Redick has even higher expectations for the group, and he knows that their success will come down to championship habits. From the jump, he’s set the standard high while making it clear what they expect from all of their players.
Whether it’s a four-time champion like LeBron James or a player with a more complicated history like Deandre Ayton, every Lakers player will have to come in with the right approach, or they could find themselves struggling for minutes.
With a brand new extension that was announced just recently, Redick has full authority in his role, and he doesn’t have to worry about being blamed when things go wrong. By all accounts, Redick is in Los Angeles for the long haul, and Pelinka sees a very bright future for his coaching tenure.
If Redick’s message resonates, the Lakers will have the foundation needed to stay sharp all year. He’s setting a championship standard from day one, and now it’s on the players to prove they can live up to it.
