Recent rumors about JJ Redick taking on the head coach role have finally come true. In June 2024, Redick was introduced as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite his extensive experience as a player, stepping into a coaching role is an entirely new challenge. This appointment is particularly notable as it’s rare for someone with no prior coaching experience to lead a team as prestigious as the Lakers.

While Redick might not have been the top choice initially, his appointment was strongly supported by key players like Anthony Davis. Despite the debates, Redick has been officially appointed, receiving congratulations from across the sports community. Among the well-wishers was Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who shared heartfelt words about Redick.

Dave Roberts wishes JJ Redicks for his new head coach position

Undoubtedly, whether it was welcome the Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani or any other Dodgers player, Roberts has always been a cheerful guy. Sharing his warm wishes and hugging JJ Redick, Roberts said, “Welcome to LA Man, You are going to crush it.” The Los Angeles Lakers have signed JJ Redick for a four-year deal worth approximately $8 million yearly. 

After retiring from the NBA in 2021, Redick joined ESPN as an analyst. Despite some critics, Redick has been praised by many, including a Lakers guard who stated, “I’ve gotten to know JJ a bit. He’s a basketball genius, I think as everybody knows, and I think he’s gonna make a good coach, and I can’t wait to work with him.” Since joining the Clippers in 2013, Redick has consistently showcased his brilliant form. Notably, in 2014, he scored a career-high 40 points in a crucial 129-127 win over the Mavericks.

Further, in 2016, he again scored his career-high 40 points in a 140-132 game over the Rockets. Then came 2019, when he established a franchise record for the number of 3-pointers in a single season. With the record, he surpassed Kyle Korver’s 226 mark in the 2004-05 NBA season. Later, towards the end of his career in 2021, with sensational numbers showing his prowess as a smart basketball player. Perhaps, while there’s praise for the new Lakers head coach at one end, Dave Roberts has also kept the Dodgers running despite their injury slump. 

Roberts managed Dodgers injuries bringing the best out of his players

Los Angeles Dodgers Dave Roberts has been one of the best coaches in the baseball game. A prime example would be the sluggish Dodgers pitching, and despite all the injuries, he’s sustaining the team still at the number one position in the NL West.  However, some fans have called upon Roberts for his strange decisions. Still, despite all the criticism, Roberts’s composure to run a team solely on hitters has been a revelation in MLB.

Since the start of June, the Dodgers have faced significant injuries, including Mookie Betts and Yashinobu Yamamoto. Additionally, Shohei Ohtani, diagnosed with an elbow injury, hasn’t pitched recently. In response, Roberts positioned Ohtani as a lead-off hitter. As a designated hitter, Ohtani has excelled, smashing 29 homers in 2024 with a 1.033 OPS and an impressive .315 batting average.

Also, it seems his hitting skills for the Dodgers worked at the MLB All-Star 2024 game. A star who was unable to hit a single home run in his previous appearances, he smashed a three-run homer, fulfilling his home run dream on the big stage. Eventually, veteran Tyler Glasnow and Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw will return on Wednesday and Thursday, adding firepower to the Dodgers pitching lineup. As our readers, what do you think about Dave Robert as a manager? Let us know your answer in the comments!