Lakers Coach JJ Redick: Refining Anger Into Calm
Mike Krzyzewski praises his former Duke pupil’s willingness to adapt, as the Lakers prepare for a Friday night game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
By Dominic Foster ·
JJ Redick is redefining his coaching identity by trading the anger that fueled his playing career for a calmer approach to leading the Los Angeles Lakers.
Redick took the head coaching job in June 2024, following a 15-year NBA career and several seasons as an ESPN broadcaster. He guided the team to a second-round playoff exit against the Oklahoma City Thunder in his first full season. Since then, he has worked with a performance coach to refine his communication style, recognizing that his old habits no longer served the team.
In his third season, Redick acknowledged that some tools that helped him as a player have become deterrents as a coach. He noted that while he could function with anger on the court, players often tune out or react negatively to it when it is the primary method of accountability. He now prioritizes getting his players into a clear-minded state to understand the assignment rather than trying to rile them up.
Mike Krzyzewski, who coached Redick at Duke from 2002 to 2006, supports this evolution. The 79-year-old former Duke head coach said Redick functions under the theory that he is always becoming. Krzyzewski noted that Redick is always willing to listen, learn, and adapt to something new. The two have been friends for 20 years, a bond that extends beyond basketball to include personal and family matters.
Krzyzewski, who retired Redick’s No. 4 jersey in 2007 and inducted him into the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame in 2024, viewed Redick’s move to coaching as a natural step. He recalled that Redick craved competition and the deep end of the game, qualities that were not fully satisfied by broadcasting. Krzyzewski said he was initially surprised by the news but soon realized it made sense given Redick’s competitive drive and understanding of the game.
The Lakers enter Friday’s game with a 7-2 record, ranking second in the league in points per game at 121.8. Their defense is currently the 17th best, holding opponents to 113.9 points per game. Luka Doncic is leading the team with a league-leading 38.5 points per game, along with 8.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists. Redick has reached the 50-win milestone in consecutive seasons, making him the first Lakers head coach since Phil Jackson to do so.
Redick said the job of a coach is simple: maximize the group and ensure people enjoy coming to work. He emphasized that his recent retirement in September 2021 gives him empathy for his players, many of whom he played against or with during his career. The team will face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday at 7 p.m. at Crypto.com Arena.
Krzyzewski said he believes Redick is a one-of-a-kind individual who works hard to get better. He noted that anger can be a motivator if it is used to help a player and team, but it should not hurt them. Redick and Krzyzewski maintain a relationship built on trust, where they tell each other the truth without needing to discuss strategy or game plans.
