Former NBA participant JJ Redick (Getty Photographs through AFP)
LOS ANGELES – Former NBA player-turned-pundit J.J. Redick says he’s prepared for the problem of taking the Los Angeles Lakers again to the head of the NBA after being confirmed as the brand new head coach of the 17-time champions.
Redick, who spent 15 years within the NBA as a participant earlier than becoming a member of ESPN in 2021 as an analyst, was formally unveiled on Monday because the successor to Darvin Ham, who was fired following the Lakers’ first-round playoff defeat to Denver.
Redick’s appointment to such a high-profile place, which was first reported final week, has raised eyebrows throughout the NBA given his lack of teaching expertise.
The 40-year-old analyst acknowledged these issues in remarks to reporters on Monday, admitting his emergence as a contender for the Lakers job had been “surreal.”
“This course of has been surreal to say the least,” Redick mentioned, earlier than thanking the Lakers for “entrusting me on this place.”
“I take this duty very critically,” Redick mentioned. “I’ve by no means coached within the NBA earlier than. I don’t know should you guys have heard that.”
The Lakers completed the common season with a 47-35 document however had been unable to threaten Denver within the opening spherical of the playoffs.
Redick mentioned he was beneath no illusions concerning the scale of the rebuilding activity earlier than him.
“I do know what the expectations are,” Redick mentioned. “Lakers followers have a number of the most passionate followers world wide. And the expectation is a championship.
“In order that’s my job. It’s our workers’s job … It’s on all of us to to ship a championship-caliber staff.”
Lakers basic supervisor Rob Pelinka mentioned Redick had been appointed after a “considerate and thorough search course of.”
“J.J. is a fierce competitor and has a rare basketball IQ and understanding of the fashionable sport that may energize gamers and excite followers,” Pelinka mentioned.
“He brings an intense dedication to innovation, advancing the sport and staying on the forefront of an ever-evolving league…that is an thrilling time for Lakers basketball.”
Media studies say Redick has been appointed on a four-year deal.
It got here after the Lakers had been rejected by extremely rated College of Connecticut coach Dan Hurley, who opted to stay in faculty basketball.
Redick has an in depth relationship with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, with whom he co-hosts a podcast, and the Lakers are clearly hoping that bond will assist flip the staff again into title contenders.
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Throughout his NBA enjoying profession, Redick averaged 12.8 factors, 2.0 rebounds and a pair of.0 assists a sport over 940 contests from 2006-2021 with Orlando, Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia and New Orleans.
