{"id":105570,"date":"2024-11-07T09:34:33","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T14:34:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=105570"},"modified":"2024-11-07T09:34:33","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T14:34:33","slug":"jj-redick-decision-bench-lakers-dangelo-russell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/07\/jj-redick-decision-bench-lakers-dangelo-russell\/","title":{"rendered":"JJ Redick Explains Decision to Bench Lakers Starter"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a promising start, the Los Angeles Lakers fell back to earth during their four-game road trip. The team faced the Suns, Cavaliers, Raptors, Pistons and Grizzlies, their lone win coming against Toronto by six points.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite LA’s frustrating losses, last night\u2019s game against the Grizzlies was a tipping point of sorts. A second-half collapse led to the Lakers’ 131-114 loss. The team’s rough play clearly made headlines, but so did a controversial decision by head coach JJ Redick<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

JJ Redick Explains Decision to Bench Lakers Starter<\/b><\/h2>\n

Redick Pulls D\u2019Angelo Russell vs. Grizzlies<\/b><\/h3>\n

Redick sensed a necessary change as the Lakers trailed by 12 midway through the third quarter Wednesday. That change involved subbing out starting guard <\/span>D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/span><\/a> for <\/span>Gabe Vincent<\/span><\/a>. It proved the end of Russell’s night, as he finished with 12 points (4\/12 FG, 2\/9 3PT, 2\/2 FT), three assists, two steals and a rebound in 22 minutes\u2014the fewest by any Lakers starter.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his postgame press conference, Redick <\/span>explained<\/span><\/a> why Russell was moved to the bench in the second half.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLevel of compete. Attention to detail. Some of the things we’ve talked with him about a couple of weeks. At times he’s been really good, other times it’s just reverting to certain habits. It wasn’t like a punishment, but for us to have a chance to win this game, that was the route we wanted to take. Gabe in the first half, especially defensively, was fantastic. I just wanted to see what that looked like.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Vincent, though effective as a point-of-attack defender, logged six points (2\/8 FG, 1\/6 3PT), one rebound and one assist in 23 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Russell\u2019s Benching a Sign?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Russell has looked shaky to start his tenth NBA season. Across LA\u2019s eight games, he has averaged 12 points, 5.8 assists and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 37% from the field and 29% from three. It may be too early to judge, but it\u2019s also apparent that he has looked out of place with this year\u2019s groups under Redick.<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking of Redick, he has clearly brought some fresh air into the Lakers culture, taking the team\u2019s losing skid seriously\u2014even ending last night\u2019s press conference earlier than expected.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Not even 10 games into the season and JJ Redick is already storming out of postgame press conferences pic.twitter.com\/WUsNg3KPY6<\/a><\/p>\n

— Mark Jackson\u2019s Burner (@casualtakeking) November 7, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n