JJ Redick minced no words when talking about the Los Angeles Lakers’ tough stretch. The head coach addressed the rampant criticism after the team’s 113-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
The defeat now sees LA record their third straight loss, slipping to 34-24 in the West and sixth in the Conference standings.
JJ Redick Addresses the Relentless Criticism After Every Lakers Loss
Speaking to the reporters in the aftermath of the loss, JJ Redick pushed back on the intense flak the team copped.
“Yeah… I would say this: our losses are louder than other teams because we’re the Lakers and because of the way we lose,” Redick said. “You get this deep into the season, and tonight was a one-possession clutch game, and now we’ve lost a few of those. But we’ve been great, for the most part, in the clutch all year.”
“Our losses are louder. I would say so. We had some adversity tonight. Did we not respond? He asked, continuing his defense of the team. “You’re not gonna avoid adversity… I thought our guys were great with that tonight.”
“Basketball is a game of mistakes, and we made mistakes. I make mistakes. I don’t think Jordan Ott coached a perfect game; I don’t think their players were perfect. Grayson Allen kicked our butt, and he was 9-for-24. That’s the game. So I think our guys responded tonight.”
The lengthy explanation just proves that Redick and the Lakers will be under the spotlight, regardless of the outcome. While the losses can be defended, and silver linings can be found, the Purple and Gold will need to figure out a way to bounce back.
On the game front, the Suns were missing key pieces in Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, but still put the Lakers under the pump and walked away with a win. The Lakers were led by Luka Dončić’s brilliant 41-point performance, but they were outplayed by a gritty Suns side led by Allen on both ends of the floor.
While the win was pretty, it still saw Phoenix improve to 34-26 and tie the Lakers for the most wins. Up next, Redick and the Lakers will have their work cut out when they play the Golden State Warriors on Saturday on the road. A win to arrest the slide will be ideal, and give them a chance to get back into the top five in a stacked West.
