JJ Redick is only entering his second season as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, but his approach to leadership is already unique. After guiding the team to 50 wins and a third seed in the Western Conference in his debut season, Redick spent his offseason preparing for the next step. But instead of limiting his study to NBA circles, he turned to NFL legends Tom Brady and Sean McVay for inspiration.
Speaking with ESPN LA, Redick broke down why he looks outside of basketball for answers.
“I’m not really sure because I didn’t really care for school. No, I think, number one, I do have just a general curiosity about stuff. I’m the type of person who spends an hour and a half going down a deep, deep rabbit hole on ChatGPT. It used to be Wikipedia, but now it’s me and my friend Chat.”
“I think the other part of it is, you have to ask yourself a question every morning: What do I need to do to be good at my job? The answer to that is very different every day. Every day requires something different.”
“The summer, to me, is an opportunity to grow outside of just Xs and Os. I think a lot about the culture that I want to create, but not just create, sustain.”
“I just think you can pick. Sean McVay, Tom Brady, it’s greatness. Why would I not take that opportunity?”
Redick explained that while he’s constantly in touch with NBA coaches and executives, he also wants to learn how championship cultures are built across different sports. In Brady and McVay, he saw two people who not only won at the highest level but also transformed the environments around them.
Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, represents the ultimate example of preparation and accountability. Even late in his career, he was obsessive about details, ensuring teammates knew their roles while holding himself to impossible standards.
Redick studied that approach, hoping to translate it into how he manages stars like Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
McVay, meanwhile, provided insight into leadership from a different angle. The Rams’ head coach became the youngest in NFL history to win a Super Bowl, and Redick spent hours talking with him about strategy, communication, and adaptability. From McVay, Redick adopted the idea of “utility plays”, set-piece actions designed to maximize the minutes when his best three players share the floor.
His willingness to look beyond the NBA is also a reflection of his natural curiosity. Redick admitted he often goes down research “rabbit holes” on ChatGPT; what used to be Wikipedia binges has now become deep dives into leadership, psychology, and sports strategy. He sees these explorations as part of the constant learning process that coaching demands.
The Lakers have shown they value his forward-thinking approach. The team extended Redick’s contract through 2030, signaling their belief that his mix of adaptability, curiosity, and cultural focus can keep the franchise competitive in the long run.
For JJ, greatness leaves a blueprint, no matter the sport. The challenge now is whether he can apply Brady and McVay’s lessons to push the Lakers from playoff contenders to champions.
