The Lakers’ seek for a coach is over, because the group has reportedly agreed to a four-year take care of JJ Redick.
With the offseason in full swing, it has been troublesome to get any present Lakers speaking in regards to the rent, however Austin Reaves mentioned it with native Little Rock, Arkansas, reporter Cierra Clark.
“Yeah, I’ve gotten to know JJ somewhat bit. Occurring his podcast through the center of the yr. He’s a basketball genius, as everyone is aware of. I feel he’s going to make a superb coach and I can’t wait to get to work with him.”
The honeymoon stage with a coach is at all times constructive, however it is a breath of recent air in comparison with how issues have been final season beneath Darvin Ham.
It wasn’t that gamers bashed the previous Lakers head coach, nevertheless it was extra about what wasn’t stated. Quotes from gamers praising the teaching workers and sport plans have been exhausting to return by.
Anthony Davis even stated the Lakers ‘do not know what we’re doing’ at occasions in the course of the group’s playoff sequence towards the Nuggets.
What was even wilder was Darvin Ham pushing again on that assertion, saying he “agrees to disagree” with the star ahead.
Examine that to this excessive reward from Reaves calling Redick a “basketball genius,” and you may see that, a minimum of to start with, the vibes across the Lakers will probably be higher firstly of this season in comparison with how they have been on the finish of the final one.
Reaves additionally had friction with Ham and referred to as it a “powerful” scenario being benched early final season.
Below Redick, hopefully, no demotion will occur and Reaves can take a much bigger leap in his improvement.
The Lakers guard averaged 15.9 factors and 5.5 rebounds, each profession highs, however most really feel there may be extra potential there.
If Redick is the one who can unlock the very best model of Reaves, that might take the Lakers again close to the highest of the Western Convention and out of the play-in standings they have been dwelling beneath the final two seasons.
Reaves appears enthusiastic about Redick because the coach and the Lakers clearly have been as effectively since they employed him. Now, we simply want to attend to see all of it put collectively.
There are a lot of weeks left for that, although, as we nonetheless should get by means of the NBA Draft, free company and the Olympics earlier than we are able to see how Redick and Reaves gel.
You may comply with Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.