The Los Angeles Lakers re-signed LeBron James, drafted Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, and hired first-timer JJ Redick as coach. Beyond that, though, it’s been a quiet offseason.
So perhaps not surprisingly, NBA legend and former Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal predicted that things could be rocky for LA — at least at first.
O’Neal appeared on the Pat McAfee Show, and along with some other topics, discussed the Lakers and their hiring of Redick.
He used the word “rough” when talking about his expectations for the Lakers to start the year.
One reason may be Redick, who has zero coaching experience. So O’Neal and others seem to think there could be an adjustment period.
“I think at the core of really good coaching is communication and bringing the group together… and there is no question unequivocally that JJ is an incredible communicator,” O’Neal said.
The Lakers are one of just three teams that have not signed an outside free agent to a standard contract, joining the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. But the Celtics won the championship and the Cavs advanced to the second round of the playoffs. The Lakers were bounced in the first after winning a play-in game.
Along with that, LeBron James turns 40 years old in December. He is the face of the franchise and remains their greatest hope at winning. That said, lots of questions persist whether there is enough around James beyond Anthony Davis.
It doesn’t seem as if there is. And if the Lakers stick with this roster all season, it may not just be the start that it is rough. It could be the whole year.
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