JJ Redick Says Lakers’ Effort Is a ‘Choice’ After 132-108 Loss to Suns
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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick expressed frustration with his team’s effort following a 132-108 defeat to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
Redick said Phoenix “touched the paint on every possession” and revealed the Suns posted an offensive rating of roughly 1.43 when they penetrated, including scores on the first 13 possessions of the second half. “We couldn’t keep them out of the paint,” he told Spectrum SportsNet.
The coach detailed failed defensive adjustments, noting that a switch to zone coverage immediately yielded “a layup and an open three.” He cited mistakes such as defending center Mark Williams at the three-point line and failing to ICE a pick-and-roll, adding that the Lakers often looked “stuck in mud.”
Redick emphasized that sustained intensity is a matter of repeated decisions. “You can take shortcuts, or you can do the hard thing and make the second effort,” he said. “It’s just a choice. There are a million choices in a game. Can you make the vast majority of them correctly? That gives you a chance to win.”
Although he insisted the issue is not alarming, Redick acknowledged that opting for comfort will not produce victories. “Comfortable doesn’t win,” he stated.
Redick recently challenged stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James to match their offensive output with greater defensive commitment, reiterating that the Lakers’ ceiling depends on their two leaders.
Source: LakersNation.com
