After the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a narrow 119-118 defeat at home to the Orlando Magic, head coach JJ Redick shared his personal coping mechanisms for handling losses. When asked about managing the ups and downs of an NBA season, Redick candidly admitted, “I go to a very dark place. Literally. It’s the basement. I turn the lights out and I watch film.” This approach has been effective for him during his first season in the role, as the Lakers currently hold a commendable fourth place in the competitive Western Conference with a record of 10-5.
Before stepping into the head coaching position, Redick lacked formal coaching experience at any level, but he was often seen as a potential future coach due to his deep understanding of the game. One advantage he had was his established rapport with Lakers superstar LeBron James, whom he collaborated with on a podcast called “Mind the Game” prior to his hiring. This connection appears to have translated well onto the court, with both players showing promising synergy, along with key contributions from Anthony Davis.
In the loss to Orlando, both Davis and James had standout performances, with Davis leading all scorers with 39 points and nine rebounds, while James added 31 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Redick has also effectively utilized the Lakers’ role players, including rookie Dalton Knecht, who made a significant impact by scoring 17 points after previously achieving a career-high 37 points.
Despite the disappointing result, there were positive takeaways for the Lakers, who demonstrated strong shooting at 50.6 percent from the field. However, they will need to address some areas for improvement, such as rebounding, where they were outmatched 48-36. Additionally, the disparity at the free-throw line was notable; Orlando capitalized by making 18 of their 21 attempts (85.7 percent), whereas the Lakers managed just 17 of 26 (65.4 percent).
In summary, while the Lakers faced a tough loss, the resilience and skill of their key players and the promising direction under Redick’s coaching provide a hopeful outlook for the season ahead. With continued adjustments and teamwork, the Lakers can bolster their performance and remain competitive in the league.