The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2024–25 season ended sooner than expected, with a first-round playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves leaving fans disappointed. Despite the loss, Luka Dončić offered a note of optimism, praising rookie head coach JJ Redick for bringing back his love for the game.
Luka Dončić Lauds JJ Redick’s European-Style Coaching
Dončić’s praise of Redick is telling, especially given the Lakers’ playoff struggles. By saying Redick reminds him of Europe in the way he coaches, Dončić highlights the coach’s attention to detail and the strong relationships he builds with players—high praise from someone with deep experience in European basketball.
Luka on JJ Redick:
“He’s a hell of a coach. Not many coaches do the stuff he did in his first year. Feels like I’m back in Europe a little bit. We have a great bond… it’s been nothing but amazing” pic.twitter.com/3sy4Um5NK4
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo)
Even while managing a health issue in Game 3 and the team’s rough Game 1 against the Timberwolves, Dončić’s comments show belief in the team and coaching staff. For a first-year head coach, earning that kind of respect from a superstar—especially during the playoffs—suggests the Lakers have a solid foundation to build on.
The Slovenian star, acquired in a blockbuster trade that shocked the NBA, also praised Redick’s tactics, saying they reminded him of the strategic style he played under in Europe.
Redick may not have had any NBA coaching experience before this, but he wasn’t starting from zero. He played a long career as a sharpshooter, then stayed close to the game through his work as an ESPN analyst and his podcast, “The Old Man and the Three.”
He’s used that background to build a system focused on spacing the floor and shooting more threes. And it seemed to click early—the Lakers opened the season with a 110–103 win over the Timberwolves on Oct. 22.
Dončić and Redick go back to their short time as teammates on the Mavericks in 2021. Their bond grew when Dončić joined Redick on his podcast. “We have a great bond… it’s been nothing but amazing,” Luka said.
That history clearly helped build trust, which matters—especially now as they try to move past the frustration of an early playoff exit.
A Rocky Season for Redick and the Los Angeles Lakers
Redick’s first season with the Lakers had its ups and downs. There were flashes of good play, but the team struggled with consistency. His system—centered on more threes and using Anthony Davis’ versatility—had promise, but the Lakers couldn’t find their rhythm in the playoffs. Their loss to the Timberwolves was capped by Minnesota hitting a franchise-record 21 threes in Game 1.
Even with the pressure, Redick kept a good connection with his players. They seemed to appreciate his open-minded approach—different from some of the more traditional coaching styles. Redick, who played under big names like Mike Krzyzewski and Rick Carlisle, brought a fresh take to the role.
The season didn’t end the way fans wanted, but Dončić’s support gives reason for hope. If Redick keeps learning and the team tightens up some of the playoff mistakes, the Lakers could be in better shape for a stronger run in 2025–26.
