JJ Redick could have walked back the championship talk. Instead, the Lakers coach doubled down.
Redick said before training camp that he believed Los Angeles could develop into a “championship-level” team this season and that, for the first time in his tenure, the roster pieces truly fit together.
Speaking with Sam Amick of The Athletic, Redick explained what he meant.
“When I said the pieces fit, that’s more about having depth, having multiple ball-handlers besides Luka and AR, having more shooting, more volume shooting, having an elite rim protector,” Redick said. “And it’s having great wing defenders.”
Redick added that he believes strongly in the Lakers’ wing group and its ability to defend and make open 3-pointers. And despite skepticism from outside the organization, Redick isn’t changing his expectations.
“I’ve watched these guys play,” he said. “I’ve played against these guys, or coached against these guys, and I’ve also gotten to see them at our vet minicamp in Vegas. I got to see it all of August and September.”
Redick also made it clear he isn’t especially concerned with how the Lakers are viewed compared to teams such as the Knicks, Spurs or Thunder.
“We’re on our own path,” he said. “We are on our journey. That’s exciting to me.”
That’s exciting to plenty of Lakers fans, as well. They’ll be even more excited if Redick is right.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
