The conclusion of the 2023-2024 season saw the Los Angeles Lakers part ways with head coach Darvin Ham after finishing with a 47-35 record and being eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
Ham’s tenure lasted just two years, having taken over from Frank Vogel following the 2021-22 season. In the weeks that followed, the franchise was inundated with speculation regarding potential replacements, considering various candidates, including former NBA player JJ Redick and Dan Hurley, the current head coach of the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team.
On June 24, the Lakers announced the appointment of Redick as the franchise’s 29th head coach. Critics have voiced their disapproval of the decision, pointing out that Redick lacks any coaching experience and is a close friend of LA forward LeBron James, with whom he co-hosts a podcast.
Steve Francis, a former NBA player who competed for three teams from 1999 to 2008, expressed his views on the hiring. He stated, “There’s no way that just because he went to Duke, and he criticizes people on television, like he sounds like a great coach but…
All these guys who have experience and get looked over just because it’s the ‘it’ thing right now with generation cuz these guys are doing these podcasts,” according to Legion Hoops on X.
Earlier this year, James and Redick collaborated on a podcast called “Mind the Game,” which explores various basketball topics. Due to their close connection, many media members and fans believe that James played a an important role in Redick’s hiring.
Skeptics commonly argue that James might overshadow his former podcast partner, suggesting that Redick could simply serve as a temporary solution as James approaches the twilight of his career.