After the Los Angeles Lakers narrowly lost to the Orlando Magic 119-118 at home on Thursday night, head coach JJ Redick shared his approach to handling the team’s setbacks. In a post-game interview, Redick revealed that he tends to retreat to a “very dark place” — specifically, his basement, where he shuts off the lights and reviews game film to process losses.
This reflective strategy seems to be paying off for Redick in his first season as an NBA head coach, as he has led the Lakers to a commendable 10-5 record, placing them fourth in the fiercely competitive Western Conference. Remarkably, Redick stepped into the role without any prior coaching experience at any level, though his deep understanding of the game and his time as a player made him a promising candidate.
A strong rapport with Lakers superstar LeBron James has also been advantageous for Redick. The two had previously bonded over their podcast, “Mind the Game,” which likely helped foster their connection when Redick joined the team. Their synergy has been reflected on the court, with LeBron and fellow star Anthony Davis playing pivotal roles in the Lakers’ performance this season.
Even in the wake of the loss to the Magic, there were notable performances to celebrate; Anthony Davis led all scorers with 39 points and nine rebounds, while LeBron contributed 31 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Additionally, rookie Dalton Knecht showcased his potential by adding 17 points following a career-high 37-point game in the previous match.
Despite the promising aspects of the game, the Lakers have areas to address. They struggled on the boards, being out-rebounded 48-36, and faced a significant challenge at the free-throw line. While Orlando excelled with an 85.7 percent success rate, the Lakers managed only 65.4 percent from the stripe.
Overall, while the loss was disappointing, it highlighted the team’s talent and resilience. With Redick’s insightful coaching methods and the stars’ strong performances, there is ample reason to be hopeful as the Lakers move forward in the season. Adjustments and continued development could lead to future success, keeping fans optimistic about the potential for improvement.