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It was a five-game series to forget for JJ Redick and the Los Angeles Lakers. Their season came to an end on Wednesday night, falling 103-96 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the opening-round playoff series.
The win propels Minnesota into the second round of the NBA playoffs, while the Lakers head into an offseason filled with uncertainty, especially surrounding 40-year-old LeBron James.
Questions began to swirl almost immediately after the loss. While some focused on the roster’s future, others zeroed in on Redick’s performance in his first postseason as head coach.
One of the most vocal critics was ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst, who spoke at length on Thursday’s edition of "Get Up" about the Lakers’ struggles and Redick’s inexperience.
"I don't mean this in a personal way," Windhorst said. "JJ Redick coached very immaturely in this series."
Redick was reportedly agitated before Game 5 when asked tough questions by the media during the pregame press conference. According to Windhorst, this behavior spilled over into other settings as well.
"Reggie Miller said on the broadcast last night he had to try to calm him down in the pregame meeting because JJ was acting, frankly, childishly," Windhorst said.
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick.Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Redick was hired in June 2024 with no prior coaching experience, making the transition from broadcasting and playing straight into one of the NBA’s highest-profile roles.
Despite the questions surrounding Redick, the Lakers entered the playoffs with considerable star power. Alongside the aging, but still formidable, LeBron James, Los Angeles pulled off a headline-making move in February by acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. The high-profile pairing, however, failed to generate postseason success in their brief time together.
In the Game 5 loss, Doncic scored a team-high 28 points, while James added 22. Still, the Lakers shot just 11-of-37 from beyond the arc, a cold performance that proved costly in a tightly contested game.
The offseason now begins with more questions than answers. Will LeBron return for another run? Can Redick survive the media firestorm and grow into the job? How will the Lakers build around a duo of Doncic and (potentially) James?
While Lakers fans are understandably disappointed, the franchise will need to take a hard look at its leadership and roster if it hopes to avoid another early playoff exit in 2026.
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The win propels Minnesota into the second round of the NBA playoffs, while the Lakers head into an offseason filled with uncertainty, especially surrounding 40-year-old LeBron James.
Questions began to swirl almost immediately after the loss. While some focused on the roster’s future, others zeroed in on Redick’s performance in his first postseason as head coach.
One of the most vocal critics was ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst, who spoke at length on Thursday’s edition of "Get Up" about the Lakers’ struggles and Redick’s inexperience.
"I don't mean this in a personal way," Windhorst said. "JJ Redick coached very immaturely in this series."
Redick was reportedly agitated before Game 5 when asked tough questions by the media during the pregame press conference. According to Windhorst, this behavior spilled over into other settings as well.
"Reggie Miller said on the broadcast last night he had to try to calm him down in the pregame meeting because JJ was acting, frankly, childishly," Windhorst said.
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Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick.Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Redick was hired in June 2024 with no prior coaching experience, making the transition from broadcasting and playing straight into one of the NBA’s highest-profile roles.
Despite the questions surrounding Redick, the Lakers entered the playoffs with considerable star power. Alongside the aging, but still formidable, LeBron James, Los Angeles pulled off a headline-making move in February by acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. The high-profile pairing, however, failed to generate postseason success in their brief time together.
In the Game 5 loss, Doncic scored a team-high 28 points, while James added 22. Still, the Lakers shot just 11-of-37 from beyond the arc, a cold performance that proved costly in a tightly contested game.
The offseason now begins with more questions than answers. Will LeBron return for another run? Can Redick survive the media firestorm and grow into the job? How will the Lakers build around a duo of Doncic and (potentially) James?
While Lakers fans are understandably disappointed, the franchise will need to take a hard look at its leadership and roster if it hopes to avoid another early playoff exit in 2026.
Related: Shaquille O’Neal Offers Solution for Lakers Amid Elimination Threat
Related: NBA Makes Steph Curry Announcement Before Warriors Game
Related: NBA Makes Steph Curry Announcement Before Warriors Game
Continue reading...
