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[Saba Sports News] Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick didn’t hold back after his team’s embarrassing 134-93 loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday. Ahead of Friday’s game, Redick doubled down on his critique, emphasizing the team’s lack of physicality on defense.
Redick revealed he had given his players permission to commit three off-ball fouls in the second half against Miami to encourage more physical defense, but the Lakers didn’t even reach that mark.
The team ended the game with just eight fouls, a clear sign of their passive approach, which allowed the Heat to put up 134 points.
“I wanted to see more physicality, more fight, and we didn’t deliver,” Redick said, still visibly frustrated two days later. His criticism aligns with sentiments from franchise legends, who called the performance one of the worst in Lakers history.
After a strong start to the season, the Lakers have stumbled, losing six of their last eight games to drop to 12-10. As a first-year head coach, Redick is making it clear he won’t tolerate complacency or poor effort, especially this early in the season.”