Tension Grows as JJ Redick Takes Shot At His Own Player After Lakers Get Smoked By Suns in Ugly Loss

LA Lakers coach JJ Redick diagnosed what his team did in their 132-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Redick noted how the Suns’ relentless and efficient rim attacks were a big reason for the lopsided loss. The former NBA journeyman added that their communication, particularly on the defensive end, needed to improve.

When asked to evaluate his team’s help defense throughout the season, Redick did not hold back (6:13 mark):

“We had a guy the other day who hasn’t played a lot who didn’t know what a ‘flood’ was in the middle of the game. We’re not healthy, and when we’ve been healthy, we clearly have some room to grow in that area.

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JJ Redick continued that the Lakers “have had two healthy games,” but they do enough film sessions, practice and run-throughs to prevent communication breakdowns.

The other day, with Austin Reaves (calf), Rui Hachimura (groin) and Gabe Vincent (back) out, he used three seldom-used players. Redick played Jarred Vanderbilt 27 minutes and gave 13 and six minutes to Dalton Knecht and Adou Thiero, respectively.

Somewhere, somebody failed to execute on help defense in the Lakers’ 103-88 loss to the LA Clippers on Saturday. The miscue prompted JJ Redick to bring it up as an example of their defensive shortcomings.

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JJ Redick wants Lakers to make “hard choice” instead of getting “comfortable” to win

Hustle and effort were two other key areas that JJ Redick emphasized in the postgame interview. He said that his team felt like it was “stuck in mud” against teams that want to run like the Phoenix Suns.

When asked if the Lakers had enough players who play hard, Redick simply answered, “No.” He added, though,that he could coax more out of his players to give more effort on defense.

JJ Redick asserted (5:40 mark):

“It’s the hard choice. It’s not the easy choice. … We make easy choices because it’s comfortable. Comfortable doesn’t win.”

The Lakers have lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. They will have to play hard on both ends when they host the Houston Rockets on Christmas. Luka Doncic’s status remains uncertain, making it even more crucial for Redick’s team to show effort and grit.

Edited by Michael Macasero