JJ Redick ‘completely aligned’ with Rob Pelinka on adding former head coaches to staff
As the Lakers look to help JJ Redick build out his coaching staff, adding NBA experience to the bench is one key component.
The Lakers made the hiring of JJ Redick official, announcing it on Monday and holding his introductory press conference.
No games were played on this day, but Redick won. He made some candid comments on people's concerns about the Lakers hiring him and was as charismatic as one can expect a former player, turned broadcaster, turned NBA head coach to be.
Redick wasn't done talking after his press conference. He shared some tidbits on how the assistant coaching hires will go and the partnership he has with vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka in a radio interview on ESPN LA.
“We are completely aligned in that the front of bench should have experience We definitely want at least a couple former head coaches in the NBA there. Behind the bench, we want young, hungry, innovative, fresh, self-doers, self-motivated, that’s what we want behind the bench. There’s got to be that balance. You’ll hear me talk about duality all the time. I want that duality, I do.
In terms of the voice, in terms of the disagreement or the yes men, I certainly want people to disagree with me. I certainly want to have conversations about strategy, gameplanning where this is disagreement and we can talk through it. The key part is that there is one voice. If I say it and then an assistant coach goes and delivers the message, it’s me saying it. I think that’s the big part. There has to be a level of trust, collaboration, all that stuff. But the disagreement has to exist, too.”
These comments from Redick match previous reports on the Lakers wanting multiple head coaches on the coaching staff. Given his inexperience as a head coach, it makes sense you want some coaching knowledge around him to help the rookie coach navigate the NBA season in this new role for Redick.
Franchises aren't always involved in assistant coaching hires and Redick still made it clear he was in charge, even though this partnership with the Lakers is very collaborative.
It's good to hear that Pelinka and Redick are on the same page, but they should be on day one. Keep in mind that Darvin Ham and Pelinka were also aligned from the start.
They were so aligned their contracts were matched so they would be together throughout their tenure as Lakers. Now, Ham is out, and Pelinka is still here.
So, while all these things sound good, it will take time to see how this partnership gels and if they can get the Lakers back into title contention.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.