Ahead of a critical game at the Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick explained the mentality for his team to avoid another blowout loss. Redick stressed the importance of emotional stability and not overreacting to what happens in a single game.
“I’ve been in enough of these to know that you can’t overreact to one game… you can go up 2-0 and lose a series. You can go up 3-1 and lose a series,” said Redick in the media press conference. “As a coach, you overreact to everything, so that’s a little different.”
The Lakers were crushed on Saturday night in Game 1 of the opening round. It was an embarrassment for the Lakers on their home court, and Redick has spent days trying to find a solution, and tonight’s game will be his chance to deliver the perfect response.
“I think you prepare for adjustment and, like any game, you read it in real-time based on how they’re guarding different actions, what they’re trying to attack, etc,” said Redick. “That’s the micro version; the macro version is game-to-game in a series, and we’re in constant dialogue about stuff.”
The Lakers were favored to win this series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but they looked outmatched in Game 1 in just about every way. They were rattled by the Timberwolves’ aggressive physicality, but they believe things can be better with the right preparation and game plan.
In the pre-game media chat, Redick explained the role of LeBron and how he continues to fulfill his role as a leader of the organization. Unlike so many others, the King leads by example, and he takes an active role in every step of the process.
“His leadership has been terrific. He has been vocal in all of the film sessions, meetings, our court work when we’re walking through stuff, our defensive breakdown stuff,” said Redick. “I think yesterday was a great day for him, we did more live than we’d done in months. He got himself going and moved well.”
As a 4x champion and 4x MVP, LeBron James has more experience than anyone at this level, so it’s no surprise that he’s become a leading voice in the locker room. Besides putting in the work to prepare for this fight, James is ensuring that all of his teammates are focused on the bigger mission.
After finishing third in the standings this season, the Lakers are in a good position to make a Finals run or more, but it won’t be easy to get out of the competitive Western Conference. Down 0-1 to the Timberwolves, Redick and LeBron are facing one of their toughest challenges yet, but there is faith they can get it done.
