After trading for superstar guard Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers had as high expectations as any team in the NBA. Still, they fell short. With a Game 5 win on Wednesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves have beaten the Lakers 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs.
Even with a new-look superstar duo of Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the Lakers could not get out of the first round, and many fingers will point toward their supporting cast and first-year head coach JJ Redick.
After the Lakers’ Game 5 loss, former Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl took to social media to seemingly take a shot at JJ Redick.
“Maybe previous coaching experience does matter to be a head coach in the NBA,” Karl posted on X.
In his first year as a head coach, Redick led the Lakers to a 50-32 record and third place in the Western Conference, but went out far too early in the postseason. Before becoming the head coach of the Lakers, Redick was filming podcasts with LeBron James, so many have questioned his legitimacy since being hired.
Still, Redick had an impressive first season as an NBA head coach, but there is room for improvement. Redick ackowledged that after their season-ending loss to the Timberwolves.
“I can get a lot better,” Redick said.
The Lakers took a risk by making JJ Redick their head coach, but even after a first-round playoff exit, there is not much reason to question the decision. The Lakers will now have a full offseason to better prepare their roster around Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and JJ Redick, and will likely come back better next year.
