Nobody expected the Los Angeles Lakers’ latest coaching hire to be still generating commentary across the league a year after it happened, but here we are. The decision to hand former player and media personality JJ Redick a two-year, $45 million contract extension, with no previous professional coaching experience, has become a bit of a recurring punchline across the NBA, and recently, a familiar face added a fresh spark to the fire: Chris Finch.

NBA insider Zach Lowe recently organized a live show in Minneapolis and talked to various Minnesota Timberwolves-related personalities, including head coach Chris Finch. With Lowe joking about taking time off work, Finch looked at the audience and said, “I mean, I bet you three-quarters of these people are going to go home and do a podcast tonight, you know?” The room found it funny, but he wasn’t done.

Finch doubled down, firing a shot: “I mean, it’ll qualify you to coach the Lakers, you know?” The crowd kicked up as the coach grinned, and the interaction quickly went viral on social media. Was it a playful jab? Sure. But it landed because it had an element of truth to it.

Finch, who coached Redick during a brief stint in New Orleans as an assistant, referenced Redick’s past, the host of one of the most prominent player-run podcasts, The Old Man And The Three, as well as a collaborative effort with Lakers superstar LeBron James, Mind the Game, soon after which he was hired to coach the Lakers last year.

However, it’s clear that both coaches still hold each other in high regard. After the Lakers’ October 24th matchup against the Wolves, Redick was asked about his time under Finch, and he replied:

“It’s very obvious from the time we spent together that he was not only going to get a shot to be a head coach but was going to be a really good head coach. I think he’s a great communicator… Watching [the Timberwolves] on film and, because they’ve had such continuity, you already see the wrinkles he’s added this year to some of their stuff. And he’s also someone who will tell it to you straight. And I think players always appreciate it.”

The praise goes both ways. During last year’s playoffs, when the Lakers faced off against the Wolves, Finch called it an “absolute pleasure” to coach Redick during his time with the Pelicans.

“I learned a lot from him… He imparted a lot of tricks of the trade, things that he needed, that he had seen through his career… Not surprised that he’s had success. He’s got a very sharp basketball mind, relates to people extremely well. He’s super competitive. He has all the DNA.”

There’s certainly some irony, as Chris Finch was even featured on JJ Redick’s podcast, “The Old Man and the Three.” In an hour-long interview, Finch and Redick discussed various topics, including Finch’s coaching philosophy and his experiences in the NBA.

The discussion also touched on player development strategies like improving former Wolves’ star— Karl Anthony Towns’ shooting and offensive positioning, and Finch’s outlook on the cyclical nature of NBA playing styles and coaching.

Now, with LA and Minnesota forming a bit of a Western Conference rivalry, it’s good to know the coaches aren’t averse to throwing some light banter each other’s way.

Inside the Playoff Collapse That Still Haunts the Los Angeles Lakers

It was in the Los Angeles Lakers-Minnesota Timberwolves matchup from last year that the gap between regular-season optimism and playoff experience was most evident.

Chris Finch’s squad was overwhelmed with size, and Game 4 dragged every uncomfortable truth into the light. JJ Redick’s promising rookie year suddenly met the part of postseason basketball that shatters dreams.

The Lakers needed a road win to tie up the series, but instead, Redick’s inexperience was spotlighted in front of the league.

Top Stories

Kyrie Irving Breaks Silence After Injury Return Update Emerges

Is Stephen Curry Playing Tonight? Warriors vs Jazz Latest Injury Report (Dec 3)

Is Kawhi Leonard Playing Tonight? Celtics vs Clippers Latest Injury Report (Jan 3)

NBA Trade Rumors: Stephen Curry, LeBron James Reunion Hinges on $175M Star’s Warriors Fate

Is Austin Reaves Dating YouTuber SteveWillDoIt’s Ex-Girlfriend? Fact Checking Viral Claim

Redick made a massive gamble: no substitutions in the second half, an unprecedented move since tracking began.

The effect was immediate: LA coughed up their lead, got outscored 32-19 in the fourth, and LeBron James went scoreless with just two shot attempts late in the game. LeBron, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves all missed open shots, and Minnesota completely dominated the exhausted five on the court.

By the time the game ended, LA lost by three and fell 3-1 in the series. With such a thin margin, the no-substitutes move drew a lot of scrutiny. Could Gabe Vincent’s shooting or Jarred Vanderbilt’s defense have secured the margin?

Could even a few minutes of rest have restored enough lift for one of those late misses? We’ll never know, because no role player ever touched the floor, and it was a major development moment for Redick.

However, the two coaches still remain competitive this season, continuing the momentum from last season’s postseason rivalry— with LA outplaying the Wolves in both their matchups this season.

Although with some caveats to their matchups—LA upset the Wolves without LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the road, spearheaded by Austin Reaves, who halted the home team’s surging 29-19 fourth quarter with a floater over Rudy Gobert to secure the win. Notably, the Wolves were also without their superstar, Anthony Edwards.

And another matchup featuring Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards, with the Slovenian superstar putting up 49 points to dominate the Wolves. Their last matchup will be on March 10th, 2026, with LA looking to sweep their season series.