Key Highlights
- JJ Redick downplays viral sideline interaction with Luka Dončić.
- Redick and Dončić had a good laugh about the incident after the game.
- The two previously played together on the Dallas Mavericks.
- Redick values his relationship with Dončić despite the social media reaction.
Lakers Coach Redick Dismisses Sideline Controversy
JJ Redick, the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, has laughed off a recent viral incident involving him and star player Luka Dončić. The episode occurred during the Lakers’ game against the Pelicans in San Francisco on Saturday.
The footage showed Dončić walking past Redick after being subbed out, with Redick trying to catch up and speak with him before he reached the bench. Dončić appeared to shout back at Redick as he walked away, leading some fans and media to question their relationship. However, Redick brushed off the incident, saying it was a normal part of the competitive environment.
Laughing It Off
“I didn’t think much of it at the time,” Redick told reporters before the Lakers’ game against the Pelicans on Tuesday. “I don’t think Luka did either. He and I have a great relationship. I really value our relationship, and I think those things happen; they’re not every game, but they happen very frequently.”
Redick explained that he and Dončić had spoken about the incident after the game, finding humor in it. “Just, it’s — it’s a competition,” Redick said. “And, you know, there’s two guys here who, in this case, are trying to win a basketball game and be on the same page about stuff.”
Team Dynamics
The interaction is emblematic of life with the Lakers, where moments like these can be amplified due to the team’s high level of scrutiny. Redick has been supportive of Dončić since joining the Lakers, stating that their relationship is strong and will only get stronger.
“I’ve known Luka now for about six years,” Redick said. “Our relationship is strong. It’s only going to get stronger.” He added, “There’s certainly other teams and players, to be honest. We have LeBron James on our team, who’s probably the most scrutinized or one of the most scrutinized athletes of all time.”
Personal Connection
Redick highlighted his experience as a former teammate with Dončić on the Dallas Mavericks, emphasizing their bond both on and off the court. “It’s definitely special to the Lakers,” Redick said. “I talk about player-led teams all the time. Like, I encourage guys talking to me or talking to our coaches, bringing stuff up and telling us what they need.”
Redick’s tenure with the Lakers has been marked by his desire to be part of a meaningful team. “That’s why I wanted to play at Duke,” he said. “That’s why when I was a free agent after a year of rebuilding in Orlando and a first-round exit in Milwaukee, I said to Doc Rivers, ‘I want to come here.’ Because I want to play for something. I want it to matter. I want to be part of something that means something.”
The incident is just one example of the intense scrutiny faced by the Lakers, but Redick remains focused on building a winning team despite the challenges.