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[Saba Sports News] When the Los Angeles Lakers announced JJ Redick as their new head coach, skepticism and criticism came swiftly. Although several Lakers players praised Redick, doubts remain months later.
The latest to join the critics is former three-time NBA All-Star Steve Francis. On Live From The District, Francis shared his take: “I love basketball, but just because he went to Duke and criticizes people on TV doesn’t mean he’s a great coach. There are guys like David Vanterpool and Sam Cassell who’ve put in the work and have championship experience, yet they’re overlooked because the trend now favors media personalities.”
Redick, who gained popularity with his podcast, The Old Man and the Three, has recently co-hosted Mind the Game with LeBron James, amassing a strong following. While he lacks coaching experience, his extensive playing background includes a standout college career at Duke and 15 seasons in the NBA. But Francis argues Redick’s résumé still falls short, questioning his ability to command a locker room.
“Just like with Darvin Ham, LeBron’s not going to listen to JJ,” Francis said. “If I were playing, I’d be thinking, ‘Why should I listen to him?’ It’s going to be tough for him to break through, especially with all the distractions.”
Ultimately, the Lakers made their choice, and Redick’s success or failure will play out soon enough. Only time will tell if he’s the right fit or if Francis and the skeptics had it right all along.