Inside the mindset that led JJ Redick to coaching — and his first win

Lakers coach JJ Redick calls out instructions to players during his first game as an NBA head coach on Tuesday. The team defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

JJ Redick had always fought.

He fought the jeers ACC crowds poured onto him while he became one of the best — and most hated — players in college basketball history.

He fought the idea that his game wouldn’t translate to the pros, that the early-season struggles weren’t going to be indicative of who he could become. He fought to become one of the best role players in the league, and then fought against time and an aging body to stay there.

In retirement from the sport, he fought against complacency. He stayed busy as a podcaster, an entrepreneur and a broadcaster.

Lakers coach JJ Redick looks up the court toward forward LeBron James during the team’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena. (Eric Thayer / Associated Press)

But early last spring, Redick decided it was time to stop fighting. It was time to give in.

“At some point, you just kinda have to listen to your soul and not be afraid of the consequences of whatever happens afterwards,” Redick told the Times. “You just got to go for it I guess.”

And so, Redick made up his mind. He was going to listen to his soul. He didn’t just want to coach in the NBA.

He needed to.

Tuesday night after the Lakers beat the Timberwolves 110-103, Redick stood in the hallway with his hair still wet from the celebratory bath his players gave him in the locker room. There was no doubt. This was where he was supposed to be.

But, to be fair, that would’ve been the case regardless.

Read more: It goes beyond LeBron and a podcast: Why the Lakers decided to hire JJ Redick

“I’d say every day has reinforced that,” Redick said. “That’s the honest truth. From the first day of actual work to now, every day has been awesome. That’s the fact.”

Before the Lakers’ opener Tuesday, a game they won with precision and execution more than they did with shot-making, Redick recommitted to separating the work from the results.

“Yeah, I’m not going to get…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-mindset-led-jj-redick-150642806.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-10-23 15:06:00

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