The “Revenge Game” has come and gone, as the Los Angeles Lakers beat a feisty, competitive, but undermanned Dallas Mavericks squad 107-99. The Mavericks kept it close in the second half, but the purple and gold managed to pull away in the final few minutes, eventually closing the curtains on an eventful night. While Luka Dončić didn’t explode in the points margin, he certainly enforced his impact with a triple-double. But while Dončić laced up against his former team, Anthony Davis did not. And despite sitting out with his injury, AD’s presence in Crypto.com Arena was evident. Before tip-off, his former head coach, Lakers bench boss JJ Redick, was asked about Davis as a player and what it was like to coach him. Of course, Redick had nothing but kind things to say.
Lakers’ JJ Redick Reflects On Coaching ‘Fantastic’ Ex-Player
Los Angeles Lakers HC JJ Redick Bares All On Anthony Davis’s Impact Professionally and Personally
The tribute to AD mid-game was a nice touch from the Lakers organization. While his tenure in LA can be debated on whether it was a true success for the franchise, there is one thing no one can take from Davis: a championship ring. The rubbish idea that the championship won in the bubble comes with an asterisk is, well, rubbish. But it was after that season that AD had a continuous battle with injuries. However, his fortunes changed beginning last season, when he played 76 games—the most he’d played since his inaugural Lakers season in 2019-20. Of course, Davis is currently out with another injury, so he was on the bench as a spectator for the Mavericks-Lakers contest.
Earlier in the day, before tip-off, Davis received significant praise and appreciation from Redick. Speaking with the media, Redick reflected on what it was like to coach AD and showed appreciation for Davis for accepting a coach without prior experience.
“I’ll start with just the fact that I miss being around him every single day. He’s a fantastic human being and a wonderful teammate. For a guy who is a superstar, who has been in the Olympics, and won the NBA Finals, he probably had a decent amount of skepticism with a coach who has never coached before…for him to just accept me, and be open to a relationship and my coaching, was big time. It speaks a lot to who he is as a person. You certainly miss him as a player but…he’s just a pleasure to be around every day.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick talks about Anthony Davis.
Redick also mentioned he did not get a chance to talk with the former Laker before the game vs. the Mavericks. pic.twitter.com/GvIqADleJN
— James H. Williams | USA Today (@JHWreporter) February 26, 2025
Buying Into JJ
Right now, the Lakers appear totally locked in and bought into Redick’s scheme and game plan. Without question, he’s already one of the smartest, if not the smartest, coaches in the league. But Davis had to buy in, and so did LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and now Luka. The fact that AD was open to being coached and learn from a first-time head coach, and of a historic franchise no less, speaks volumes to Redick’s status and impact as a leader. JJ has earned his team’s respect, and their play is evidence of this. Unfortunately for Davis, he won’t be able to see it out with his former coach. He has another path to follow, and hopefully, he’ll be back on the floor soon to walk it out.
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
