Why JJ Redick Is Fed Up With The Lakers

In the modern NBA, it’s rare for a head coach to publicly call out his team’s effort and professionalism. Yet, after a demoralizing loss to the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick did just that—delivering a message that echoed through the locker room, the media, and the league. “We don’t care enough right now,” Redick said, his frustration palpable. “We don’t care enough to do the things that are necessary. We don’t care enough to be a professional.”

Redick’s comments come at a critical juncture for the Lakers. After a promising start to the season, the team has stumbled, losing six of their last ten games and dropping three in a row. Defensive breakdowns, lackluster effort, and communication failures have left the Lakers searching for answers. In this feature, we explore the roots of their struggles, the impact of Redick’s public challenge, and the broader culture of accountability in the NBA.

The Lakers’ Defensive Slide: From Contenders to Vulnerable

A Promising Start Fades

The Lakers began the season with high expectations, boasting a roster headlined by LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and a supporting cast designed to compete for a championship. Early returns were positive: the defense was sharp, rotations crisp, and the team played with urgency. But as the season wore on, old habits crept in. The intensity waned, and the Lakers’ once-formidable defense began to unravel.

The Numbers Behind the Decline

Over the last ten games, the Lakers have allowed opponents to score at will, surrendering an alarming number of offensive rebounds and second-chance points. Against Houston, they gave up 17 offensive boards—a statistic that speaks less to execution and more to desire.

Defensive rating, once a point of pride, has plummeted. Role players like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura have struggled to maintain focus, while stars like LeBron and Luka have shown signs of fatigue and lapses in concentration.

JJ Redick’s Challenge: Effort and Execution

Calling Out the Team

Redick’s postgame remarks were direct and unsparing. “Effort and execution,” he said, “are the two words of the day. When we do both at a high level, we’re a good basketball team. When we don’t, we’re terrible. Tonight, we were terrible.”

Such candor is unusual in the NBA, where coaches often shield players from public criticism. Redick’s willingness to challenge his team openly signals both urgency and a belief that accountability is essential for growth.

Specifics on Defensive Breakdowns

Redick didn’t limit his critique to generalities. He cited specific lapses—missed assignments, poor communication, and a lack of attention to detail. In Phoenix, Redick questioned why the Lakers guarded a non-shooter at the three-point line and lamented late rotations and failures to “ice” the pick-and-roll.

Film review reveals the extent of these issues. On multiple possessions, Lakers defenders lost track of their men, allowed backdoor cuts, and failed to contest open jumpers. Effort, Redick argued, is not just about hustle—it’s about consistently doing the right thing, even when it’s uncomfortable or requires extra energy.

Player Accountability: Stars and Role Players Alike

Role Players Under the Microscope

Much of the attention has centered on role players. Austin Reaves, for example, was caught napping on several key possessions, allowing his assignment to slip behind him for easy baskets. Rui Hachimura and Nick Smith have also struggled with focus, missing switches and failing to recognize cross-matches in transition.

Defensive rebounding, a team responsibility, has become a glaring weakness. The Rockets repeatedly outworked the Lakers for loose balls, turning missed shots into momentum-changing putbacks.

The Stars Must Lead

Redick’s challenge extends to the team’s stars. LeBron James, despite possessing one of the highest basketball IQs in history, has shown moments of inattention—leaving his man to leak out early, failing to box out, or misreading passing lanes. Luka Doncic, known for his offensive brilliance, has been targeted in pick-and-rolls and transition, where opponents exploit his tendency to reach for steals rather than move his feet.

Redick’s message is clear: leadership starts at the top. If LeBron, Luka, and the other stars commit to defensive excellence, the rest of the roster will follow.

Communication: The Heart of Defense

On-Court Dialogue

Defense in the NBA is as much about communication as it is about athleticism. Redick has emphasized the need for constant talking—calling out screens, switches, and rotations. The Lakers’ recent struggles have coincided with a breakdown in this area, as players fail to alert teammates to impending danger.

Film shows moments where defenders are silent, leading to missed assignments and open shots. Redick’s hope is that by highlighting these issues publicly, he can ignite a renewed commitment to vocal leadership.

Off-Court Conversations

Accountability doesn’t end when the final buzzer sounds. Redick has made it a point to engage players in honest dialogue, challenging them to reflect on their habits and mindset. The goal is to foster a culture where criticism is constructive and improvement is constant.

Tactical Adjustments: Searching for Solutions

Zone Defense and Switching

Redick has experimented with different defensive schemes—zone, switching, and ice coverage—to find a combination that works. Against Phoenix, the Lakers tried a 1-3-1 zone, only to give up layups and open threes. Switching 1 through 5 in the second half fared no better, as the Suns exploited mismatches and poor communication.

The challenge is not simply tactical; it’s about buy-in. Players must embrace the game plan and execute with discipline, regardless of the scheme.

Transition Defense

Transition defense has been a recurring issue. Opponents push the pace, and Lakers defenders are slow to match up, leading to easy baskets. Redick has stressed the importance of sprinting back, identifying threats, and communicating assignments early.

The Culture of Care: Do the Lakers Want It Enough?

Redick’s Central Question

Perhaps the most provocative aspect of Redick’s comments is his questioning of the team’s “care factor.” “Guys will say they want to win,” he said. “The care factor to me is: do I care enough to actually do what I’m supposed to do and just do it consistently? That’s really what championship habits are—and that’s what we don’t have right now.”

The implication is that desire alone is not sufficient. Winning requires a willingness to embrace difficult tasks, maintain focus under pressure, and hold oneself and teammates accountable.

Championship Habits

Redick’s reference to “championship habits” is instructive. The best teams in NBA history—think the Warriors, Spurs, Heat—built their success on a foundation of daily discipline. They did the little things, over and over, until excellence became second nature.

For the Lakers, the path forward is clear: rediscover the habits that made them contenders, and commit to doing the hard work every night.

The NBA’s Evolving Culture of Accountability

Coaches Speaking Out

Redick’s approach reflects a broader shift in the NBA, where coaches are increasingly willing to challenge players publicly. The goal is not to embarrass, but to motivate. In a league where player empowerment is at an all-time high, finding the right balance between support and critique is essential.

Player Response

How players respond to public criticism is crucial. Some thrive under pressure, using it as fuel to improve. Others may bristle, requiring a more nuanced approach. Redick’s challenge to his stars and role players alike is a test of character—and a potential turning point for the season.

The Road Ahead: Can the Lakers Recover?

Short-Term Adjustments

In the coming weeks, the Lakers will face a gauntlet of tough opponents. Redick’s challenge is to translate his words into action—instilling urgency, refining defensive schemes, and fostering better communication.

The return of injured players and tweaks to the rotation may help, but the real solution lies in effort and execution.

Long-Term Vision

For the Lakers to achieve their championship goals, they must internalize Redick’s message. The journey will require honesty, resilience, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. If they can do so, the rewards could be immense—a return to the top of the NBA and the satisfaction of knowing they earned it.

Conclusion: The Power of Accountability

JJ Redick’s public challenge to the Lakers is more than a rebuke—it’s an invitation to greatness. By demanding effort, execution, and professionalism, he is asking his team to embrace the habits that define champions.

The road ahead will not be easy. Defensive lapses, communication failures, and moments of doubt will test the Lakers’ resolve. But with leadership, honesty, and a renewed commitment to excellence, they have the tools to turn their season around.

As the NBA watches, one question remains: Will the Lakers answer the call?