The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025 season ended in the first round of the NBA playoffs, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. The early exit really hurts for a franchise with championship banners as its standard.
Leading the team was first-time head coach JJ Redick, a Duke University legend and a former NBA sharpshooter who turned ESPN analyst, took on one of the most intensive jobs in sports. Fans argue Redick overachieved given the roster’s limitations, some are however pointing fingers at his inexperience, sparking heated debates across the basketball world.
JJ Redick in the Lakers’ Pressure Cooker
In the summer of 2024, Redick stepped into the Lakers’ head coaching role, replacing Darvin Ham after a disappointing 2023-24 season. Redick retired from the NBA in 2021 after he has spent 15 years in the court, was best known for his deadly three-point shooting and his time at Duke, where he became the program’s all-time leading scorer.
After he retired, he wasted no time to made himself a name as a media personality, co-hosting podcasts and appearing on ESPN’s “First Take,” where his sharp basketball mind earned him some sort of respect.
JJ Reddick on Doc Rivers last year
“There’s always an excuse… there’s never accountability from that guy”
JJ Reddick after the Lakers were eliminated in the first round
“We played 13 games with our playoff rotation… these things take time. It doesn’t happen over night” pic.twitter.com/STKJbCtzLh
— SI (@SI_02_) May 1, 2025
But coaching the Lakers is a different challenge on it own. The Lakers were not just aiming to make the playoffs; they wanted to hang another banner in the rafters. Redick, however, had no prior experience as far as coaching is a concern at any level, which raised eyebrows when he was hired.
The regular season showed promise. The Lakers finished with a solid record, splitting their season series 2-2 with the Timberwolves, setting up an intriguing first-round matchup. But once the playoffs began, cracks started to show. By the time Game 5 came around, the Lakers found themselves with fewer options and ultimately lost the series 4-1.
Furthermore, Redick’s post-series comments added fuel to the fire and did not sit well with everyone. After the elimination, he pointed to the team’s lack of time together, noting they’d only played 13 games with their playoff rotation.
“These things take time. It doesn’t happen overnight,” Redick said in an interview session shared on X by SI.
While the statement isn’t wrong, integrating a star like Luka Dončić midseason is a challenge; it struck a nerve because of Redick’s past.
KEEP READING: ‘Always an Excuse’ – Duke Legend JJ Redick Gets Exposed a Year After Asking for Accountability From Doc Rivers
Back in 2024, while still an ESPN analyst, Redick had called out his former coach, Doc Rivers, for making excuses instead of taking accountability.
“There’s always an excuse… there’s never accountability from that guy,” Redick said on “First Take,” referring to Rivers’ tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The irony wasn’t lost on fans when Redick, now in the hot seat, offered a similar explanation for the Lakers’ struggles. The tension between Redick and Rivers dates back to their time together on the LA Clippers from 2013 to 2017, where Redick felt Rivers didn’t own up to his shortcomings as a coach.
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