When the Los Angeles Lakers hired JJ Redick to be their next head coach, many were skeptical of the move given his lack of experience and ties to LeBron James.
However, in his first season with the team, he’s proven to be up to the task, as the Lakers wrapped up the third seed in the Western Conference. Their success hasn’t been solely because of him, but he did his part.
LeBron James Shouts Out JJ Redick After Lakers Win 50th Game
After the Lakers beat the Rockets, securing their 50th win and the third seed in the West, James shouted out Redick for what he’d accomplished.
Man I was going to say something but it’s useless at this point in my career! Anyways more important CONGRATULATIONS JJ on a 50 win season in the WEST & Post Season nod! That’s 🔥🔥🔥🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🫡
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 12, 2025
“Man I was going to say something but it’s useless at this point in my career! Anyways more important CONGRATULATIONS JJ on a 50 win season in the WEST & Post Season nod,” James wrote.
Skepticism always surrounds first-time head coaches, especially when they’re calling the shots for the Lakers. In Redick’s case, it was even worse—not just because it was his first time coaching, but also because of his friendship with James.
Prior to being hired by the Lakers, Redick had never even been on a coaching staff. His main résumé as a basketball mind came from hosting a popular podcast about X’s and O’s. While his basketball knowledge was evident in the podcast, it didn’t necessarily mean it would translate to a coaching role in the NBA.
Teams had shown interest in adding him as an assistant, which Redick turned down. Going from no coaching experience at all to being head coach of a storied franchise like the Lakers was a huge leap of faith for both sides.
Not all former players succeed as coaches. Even some of the greatest to ever play—like Magic Johnson and Steve Nash—struggled in that role. On the other hand, players with lower profiles, like Steve Kerr and Rick Carlisle, found real success.
Again, it’d be a stretch to say Redick changed everything about the Lakers’ season. Having arguably the greatest player of all time on the roster certainly helped. Acquiring one of the league’s top players midseason didn’t hurt either.
Still, it was Redick’s job to make the pieces fit—and he did just that. Sure, the Lakers aren’t the No. 1 seed in the West, but looking at how the season played out, things could’ve gone much worse. With the NBA regular season finishing on Sunday, Redick and the Lakers will have to wait and see who they’ll host in the first round of the playoffs.