JJ Redick decided to pull D’Angelo Russell from the Los Angeles Lakers‘ game against the Memphis Grizzlies prematurely and keep him on the bench. And now, the sequence that led to this decision has surfaced on social media and gone viral. And considering how poorly Russell can be seen playing in the clip, his decision makes a lot of sense.
This was the sequence that got D’Angelo Russell benched for the remainder of the game
Did JJ Redick overreact? đŸ¤”
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) November 7, 2024
In the span of about 90 seconds, Russell missed an open three, forgot to follow through on defense two separate times, messed up an open look and tried to compensate by hitting an ill-advised step-back three that got blocked, and turned the ball over to allow the Grizzlies to extend their lead into double digits with 12 points.
Russell’s mistakes allowed the Grizzlies to go on an 8-0 run within two minutes that helped turn the game from a close one to a blowout. And these mistakes also cost Russell his playing time (just 22 minutes), as JJ Redick decided to take him out of the game and keep him benched for the rest of the fixture.
Redick did not hold back after the game, explaining why he took D’Angelo Russell out of the game and noted that his performances were just not up to the standard that he expects from his players. Considering how positively Redick had spoken about Russell ahead of the new season, this will come as a big disappointment to both sides.
Russell (12 PTS, 4-12 FG, 2-9 3PT) wasn’t the only player to face the wrath of JJ Redick in the post-game press conference. He also threw shade at Gabe Vincent during his press scrum, and pretty much the entire Lakers squad aside from LeBron James. Things got so heated for Redick that he eventually walked out of the scrum.
JJ Redick Visibly Frustrated With D’Angelo Russell
JJ Redick could be seen expressing his anger and frustration toward D’Angelo Russell. After Russell got his shot blocked in the sequence above. Redick when to take a seat, before repeatedly slamming the chair on the floor. Redick immediately got back up after the Grizzlies scored, called a timeout, and took Russell out of the game.
D’Angelo Russell had JJ Redick crashing out đŸ˜ pic.twitter.com/ImQwSoK1O4
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) November 8, 2024
Russell has been quite poor this season, playing at a level far below what was expected of him. So far this season, D’Angelo Russell has averaged 12.0 points, 5.8 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game on 37.5% shooting from the field, 29.2% from the three-point line, and 94.1% from the free-throw line.
But it isn’t just Russell who is underperforming. In fact, the entire Lakers squad has been underperforming under JJ Redick, especially compared to their previous season under Darvin Ham. While it is still early, most Lakers fans would not have expected this.
This loss against the Grizzlies keeps the Lakers at .500, as they finished their road trip with a terrible 1-4 record.
After starting the season so well, going 3-0 in their first three games, the Lakers have been dragged back down to earth. They have a chance tonight to turn things around, as they play against the struggling 76ers in their first game back home.
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