LOS ANGELES — Mar. 3, 2026 — Head coach JJ Redick, now in his second season guiding the Los Angeles Lakers, said the relentless attention surrounding the franchise no longer surprises him. Speaking at Crypto.com Arena before Tuesday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Redick insisted that a recent courtside exchange with star guard Luka Doncic was routine frustration, even though the moment quickly spread across social media and sports talk shows.
“We talked about it and laughed,” Redick said, noting that neither he nor Doncic felt lingering tension. The coach attributed the swift amplification of the incident to the modern media landscape, where every opinion is instantly accessible and the Lakers’ profile magnifies every storyline.
Redick added that scrutiny is heightened in Los Angeles because the roster includes LeBron James, whom he called one of the most heavily examined athletes ever. The former NBA guard said he has always gravitated toward environments where the stakes are high, referencing his decision to play for Duke and later to join the Clippers under Doc Rivers. “I wanted it to matter,” he said of coaching the Lakers.
Addressing the Doncic interaction, Redick framed it as a learning experience for both player and coach. He acknowledged missteps of his own — mentioning his comments prior to last season’s Game 5 — and emphasized that emotional misfires can foster growth. Redick said his six-year relationship with Doncic remains strong and “will only get stronger.”
Redick closed his remarks by praising the Lakers’ comeback victory over New Orleans, describing the finish as reminiscent of the club’s early-season execution in close games. Restoring that late-game sharpness, he said, is essential as Los Angeles tries to climb the Western Conference standings.
Source: LakersNation.com
