The Los Angeles Lakers’ season finished much earlier than most of us expected. LeBron James and Co. were blown away by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round and just managed to win a single game. It was a disastrous performance from the team that many tipped to be among the favorites this season. However, if you read between the lines, this Lakers roster is nowhere near championship contention. Their struggles weren’t necessarily on the players but on the construction of the roster. Moreover, this was head coach JJ Redick‘s rookie season, with some people rating him much higher than others.

Redick took over the reins from Darwin Ham before this season, and the only coaching experience he had came from training his son’s 8th-grade team. However, it was his winning mentality that impressed the Lakers’ front office so much that they decided to give him a chance. Redick’s confidence and competitiveness were present throughout the season. However, that wasn’t enough, as his team looked lackluster in the postseason. With many blaming his stubborn tactics for LA’s poor performances. One decision that raised the most eyebrows came in Game 4 when he played the same starting five for the entire second half.

He defended his decision by saying that his team had been poor in the final quarter and two of his best players missed open layups. Indeed, that was the case, but it’s hard to believe that fatigue did not play a part there. This has led to LeBron James’ agent and confidant, Rich Paul, showing support for Redick’s predecessor, Darwin Ham. While on the NBA Insider, Chris Haynes’ podcast ‘Haynes Briefs,‘ Paul gave an unpopular opinion. “Prior to JJ (Redick) coming, Darwin Ham did a great job with what he had,” Paul stated. “You know to be a… but again, but also matchups came into play, you got Memphis, you got Golden State. So you need a little bit of help every which way, and then obviously you know the players got to play to the level that they know they can.”

LeBron James’ close ally suggested that Ham did the best he could with the group of players he had at his disposal. Indeed, the 51-year-old veteran over his two seasons in LA managed to take the Lakers to the conference finals and even won the inaugural NBA In-season tournament. He finished his tenure boasting a 90-74 record with a .549 win-loss percentage, which isn’t too bad. However, you can’t compare his achievements to Redick’s, who had a solid rookie season campaign as the Lakers finished the season with a 50-32 record as the third seed in the Western Conference. Nonetheless, there are a few of JJ Redick’s actions that demand everyone’s attention.

JJ Redick’s unusual decision-making demands everyone’s attention

JJ Redick’s confidence has been commendable throughout the season. He has ended several pre- and post-game conferences with a spicy mic-drop. He has carried his winning mentality from his playing days to his coaching career. While he got all the love from the fans and media alike when the Lakers were on a roll, he’s quick to realize coaching in the NBA is judged by one thing. Of course, in this league, a head coach is judged by wins and losses. Moreover, coaching the Los Angeles Lakers adds the extra bit of pressure to the job. When you’re the head coach of a franchise whose history is as extensive as the Lakers, you’re under the microscope all the time.

The Lakers’ head coach’s historic decision to not make any changes in the second half of Game 4 that led the team to fall into a 3-1 deficit is a good example of how much of a stir a single decision causes. However, another move by Redick has gone under the radar, but LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, has brought it to light. He talked about why Jaxson Hayes did not get much gametime despite LA visibly lacking a solid big man. “You also got to understand what leads to that decision-making. The series didn’t start out like that. That young man was playing. He was given the opportunity to start and play.” Paul stated. He suggested that a lot goes behind making a call in the NBA, especially during the postseason.

“Unfortunately, you know you’re in a do-or-die game. You get a technical foul in the first quarter of a do-or-die game as a role player; those things are just unacceptable.” He further explained that, unfortunately for Hayes, he committed a technical foul in the very first quarter of the game. This type of thing is not acceptable, and it might’ve made Redick lose a bit of faith in the young center. Moreover, he also pointed out that Hayes is a great professional and that Paul doesn’t know if playing him would’ve made a massive change. Nonetheless, JJ Redick and the rest of the Lakers will have a lot of time to reflect on their mistakes as they turn their focus toward the next season and hope to improve with a massive summer ahead of them.