Last week marked a significant shift in the landscape of NBA coaching as JJ Redick, the former NBA sharpshooter turned ESPN analyst and podcast host, was officially announced as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
This appointment is a bold move, selecting someone without prior coaching experience to lead one of the most storied franchises in sports. The outcome of this decision is highly unpredictable, sparking a range of speculations and expectations within the basketball community.
Amidst this uncertainty, Lakers player Austin Reaves has expressed strong confidence in Redick’s capabilities. Over the weekend, while hosting a basketball camp in Cabot, Arkansas with his brother Spencer, Reaves shared his thoughts with Cierra Clark of THV11.
He praised Redick’s deep understanding of the game, referring to him as a “basketball genius.” Reaves conveyed genuine excitement about the opportunity to work under Redick’s leadership, highlighting a recent interaction that further solidified his optimism. “He’s a basketball genius, I think as everybody knows, and I think he’s going to make a good coach. I can’t wait to get to work with him. He actually texted me yesterday wanting to get on a call, so like I said I just can’t wait to put our brains together to go and have a good year,” Reaves explained.
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Reaves’ endorsement carries weight, particularly given his own emerging role within the team. Having previously appeared on Redick’s podcast, “Old Man and the Three,” in December 2023, Reaves spent considerable time discussing basketball insights, which likely helped in forming a preliminary bond with Redick.
This prior connection might offer Reaves a smoother transition in adapting to Redick’s coaching style and philosophy.
Austin Reaves himself is an integral component of the Lakers’ strategy moving forward. As a 26-year-old forward with impressive stats from the previous season, including averages of 15.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game, Reaves has proven to be a versatile and reliable player.
His ability to perform consistently across all 82 regular season games, achieving a career high, and maintaining a 36.7% three-point shooting accuracy underscores his value on the court. His skills as a point forward have notably alleviated some of the pressures on LeBron James, compensating for the team’s gap in the point guard position.
Looking ahead, Reaves’ development and adaptability are crucial for the Lakers, especially as they navigate this new chapter under Redick’s coaching. His potential for further growth and his current performance provide the team with strategic flexibility in terms of future roster configurations.
If Reaves continues on his current trajectory, Redick will find in him not just a skilled player, but a cornerstone around whom the team could be built in the years to come.
This dynamic makes the pairing of Reaves’ on-court talent and Redick’s innovative basketball intellect a particularly exciting prospect for the Lakers’ future.
