JJ Redick had a night to forget during Tuesday’s 123-87 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, letting his emotions get the best of him and taking shots at his players postgame.
While Redick was forced to navigate the absences of LA’s entire Big 3 of Luka Dončić (hamstring), LeBron James (foot), and Austin Reaves (oblique), former NBA champion Jeff Teague believes the second-year coach’s antics could cost him.
Jeff Teague Urges JJ Redick to Take Accountability for Lakers’ Late-Season Struggles to Save Job
Entering Tuesday as a heavy underdog against the defending NBA champions, LA stood little chance to put up a respectable fight without its top-end talent. Still, Redick was locked in from the jump, making rash in-game rotation changes and taking exception to role players Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt’s effort.
In Vanderbilt’s case, he was subbed out just 16 seconds into the second quarter, with the veteran forward engaging in a heated sideline confrontation with his coach over his short leash.
After the lopsided defeat that saw the Lakers trail by as many as 41 points, Redick didn’t hold back on his squad, claiming Hachimura “didn’t do his job” and Vanderbilt did “a confluence of things” wrong.
Redick also shamed Deandre Ayton for having “trouble catching the ball” after the starting center mustered just 3 points.
The 41-year-old even went as far as to say he is trying to “find nine guys that are all in on fighting.”
Redick’s blunt ridicule of his undermanned team rubbed some the wrong way, including Teague, who viewed it as a sign that his days in LA could be numbered.
“JJ won’t be part of this team. He won’t be their coach next year,” Teague said on Wednesday’s edition of the “Club 520 Podcast.”
“He’s gonna get fired. People are gonna stop liking him. As long as Luka like him, you good, but, man, he don’t look like he’s enjoying himself.”
Teague then urged Redick to take more accountability for the Lakers’ three-game losing streak, which has dropped them into a tie with the Houston Rockets (50-29) for fourth in the Western Conference.
“You gotta take the blame. I know he’s just maybe running some bad plays,” Teague added.
Redick calling out LA is nothing new, as the former sharpshooter has built a reputation for his attention to detail, valuing high-IQ players and strong decision-making.
However, with the Lakers severely outmatched against the now 64-16 juggernaut Thunder, perhaps Redick could’ve been better served holding off on his harsh takedown.
The Lakers have just three outings remaining before the playoffs, with team camaraderie more crucial than ever with their top scoring options unavailable.
