JJ Redick Sparks Firestorm After Blaming ‘Holidays’ for Lakers’ Breakdown
JJ Redick is starting to feel the heat in Los Angeles, and this time the pressure is coming from his own words. After blaming the Lakers’ holiday schedule for repeated offensive breakdowns, the second-year head coach admitted he’s running out of answers as his team continues to struggle with basic execution — a revelation that has only intensified scrutiny around him.
Redick recently told reporters that players are frequently failing to run called plays correctly, even after clear instructions during dead balls. He described situations where a set was called, roles were assigned, and a key player still lined up in the wrong spot. According to Redick, the issue has become so routine that he sarcastically attributed it to “the holidays,” noting that in a recent win over Memphis, only four out of more than a dozen called plays were executed as designed.
The comments come at an awkward time. While the Los Angeles Lakers sit at a respectable 21–11, their on-court performance has been uneven. After a strong 50-win season and a No. 3 seed last year under Redick, this campaign has featured several lopsided losses and major defensive concerns. The Lakers currently rank near the bottom of the league defensively, allowing far too many easy looks and committing costly turnovers.
Recent outings have fueled concern. Blowout losses to Detroit and Houston highlighted the team’s lack of cohesion, and even in wins, the Lakers have struggled to maintain leads. In the Memphis game, the team nearly let another advantage slip before being rescued late by LeBron James alongside Luka Dončić, masking problems that continue to linger.
Fans haven’t held back. Many questioned how a team this deep into the season still looks unsure of its offense, while others suggested Redick’s public frustration signals a deeper issue with accountability. Some even pointed out the irony, recalling how Redick once criticized other coaches for similar problems when he worked as a TV analyst.
Redick has since said tougher practices are needed and admitted the Lakers are still searching for their identity. But with patience thinning and expectations high, the spotlight is firmly on whether he can turn frustration into solutions — before the season’s promise slips away.
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