{"id":135941,"date":"2025-04-23T21:46:37","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T01:46:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=135941"},"modified":"2025-04-23T21:46:37","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T01:46:37","slug":"despite-success-the-ghost-of-pat-riley-haunts-lakers-jj-redick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/23\/despite-success-the-ghost-of-pat-riley-haunts-lakers-jj-redick\/","title":{"rendered":"Despite Success, The Ghost Of Pat Riley Haunts Lakers’ JJ Redick"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> made a bold decision when they fired Darvin Ham.<\/a> It wasn\u2019t surprising, but the team\u2019s direction afterward raised eyebrows. Their attempt to lure Dan Hurley, fresh off back-to-back college titles, signaled a desire for championship experience. However, when Hurley declined<\/a>, the Lakers pivoted in a completely different direction. Instead of hiring a seasoned NBA coach, the front office tapped JJ Redick\u2014a former player and podcast personality. Redick, with no prior coaching experience, stepped into one of basketball’s most demanding roles. In Redick, many within and outside the Lakers organization believed<\/a> they saw flashes of another legendary leader\u2014Pat Riley.<\/p>\n

Despite Success, The Ghost Of Pat Riley Haunts Lakers’ JJ Redick<\/h2>\n

Just as Riley took over in 1981 and delivered a title in his rookie year, Redick enters the playoffs hoping to replicate that legendary start. In his debut season, Redick guided the Lakers to 50 wins, finishing third in a loaded Western Conference. Coincidentally, that\u2019s the same win total Riley\u2019s first Lakers team posted.<\/p>\n

Playoff Pressure Hits Fast<\/h3>\n

For the Lakers, the regular season is just the opening act. True judgment comes in the playoffs. That truth hit Redick hard after Game 1 against the Timberwolves. Despite a solid season, his debut playoff game drew sharp criticism.<\/p>\n

Magic Johnson<\/a>, a Lakers legend and normally a measured voice, didn\u2019t hold back. On social media, he called out Redick\u2019s Game 1 performance. The Lakers lacked ball movement, played isolation-heavy basketball, and looked unprepared for Minnesota\u2019s physicality. “Coach JJ Redick did a great job all season but didn\u2019t do a good job for Game 1,” Magic posted on X.<\/p>\n

\n

Coach JJ Redick did a great job all season but he didn\u2019t do a good job for Game 1. The Lakers stood around on offense, played too much one-on-one basketball, and he didn\u2019t make any necessary adjustments.<\/p>\n

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 20, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n