JJ Redick Raises Eyebrows by Tying Lakers' Offensive Woes to LeBron James' Return in Resounding Public Remark

LA Lakers coach JJ Redick called his team “terrible” and blasted his players for not being “professional” enough to “care” on Thursday. Redick’s comments came after the Lakers suffered a 119-96 beatdown at the hands of the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day. The former NBA sharpshooter told reporters that he would hold an “uncomfortable” practice on Saturday.

Following the much-awaited practice, Redick diagnosed a key reason for the Lakers’ struggles:

“Since we've gotten Bron (James) back, we haven't been as organized offensively; too many random possessions. It's those three things, so that’s on me. It’s those three things: defensive clarity, role clarity & offensive organization.”

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LeBron James missed the Lakers’ first 14 games due to a sciatica injury. LA held a 10-4 record without the four-time MVP. Since his return, the Lakers are 9-6 and have lost six of their last 10 games. They are on a three-game losing streak ahead of their clash against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer took a backseat to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves when he returned in mid-November. James averaged 16.5 points per game that month before improving it to 21.9 ppg in December.

While LeBron James’ scoring has improved, JJ Redick hasn’t been happy with the poor execution, which he attributed to a lack of “role clarity.” James declined to talk to the media after the embarrassing loss to the Rockets and did the same after Saturday’s practice.

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JJ Redick refuses to point fingers, clarifies “uncomfortable” remark

JJ Redick said in the postgame interview after the loss to the Rockets that the same players refused to make the “hard choices.” He added that “comfortable” does not win games, a reason why he vowed to hold an “uncomfortable” practice.

After Saturday’s get-together with his players, Redick responded when asked if his tone conveyed yelling and finger-pointing:

“No. … Truth is, the truth is uncomfortable, and so you have to put everything out there, that’s all it is.”

JJ Redick continued that he looked at himself in the mirror first before addressing the players. He said that the coaching staff listened to the team just as much as the players voiced out their concerns. Redick added that the practice was more “recalibration and reconnection” instead of pushing around the blame.

Edited by Michael Macasero