Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick acknowledged this week that his own performance contributed to the team’s downturn in December, when the club dropped five of eight games and suffered several lopsided defeats.
Speaking to Spectrum SportsNet, Redick said he experienced “a really poor 7-to-10 days” beginning after the NBA’s in-season tournament and extending through the Christmas holiday. “I wasn’t at my best,” the first-year coach admitted. “I feel like I’ve found my way with the group again.”
The rough stretch reached its nadir on Christmas Day, when the Lakers were routed by the Houston Rockets, marking their third consecutive loss. Observers also noted visible frustration on the court, with Luka Doncic drawing criticism for frequent complaints to officials.
Redick said he and Doncic addressed those issues in a post-Christmas conversation. “He’s been really good with all that stuff for the last six games,” the coach added.
Prior to his self-critique, Redick had publicly questioned the Lakers’ effort and their execution of set plays, comments that led some to speculate he was shifting blame onto players. Since Christmas, however, Los Angeles has won four of six contests and shown improved focus even in defeat.
The Lakers were severely short-handed against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, missing three starters, yet remained competitive until late in the fourth quarter. Despite the loss, Doncic said he was pleased with the team’s overall effort.
Los Angeles opened the season strong and, despite injury issues, remained near the top of the Western Conference through the first quarter of the campaign. Redick said he is “committed to doing everything” to steer the club back to that level.
Source: Lakers Nation
