The Los Angeles Lakers’ early season promise has shortly light, revealing acquainted challenges.
After a promising 3-0 begin, the group now sits at 12-9, caught in a .500 sample with a 9-9 document.
The latest slide, dropping 5 of their final seven video games, has reignited doubts that appeared momentarily silenced throughout their preliminary success.
Three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas didn’t mince phrases about head coach JJ Redick following a dismal 109-80 loss to the Timberwolves.
“It appeared unhealthy… JJ woulda bought fired if it was as much as me,” Arenas bluntly acknowledged on his “Gil’s Area” podcast.
Ought to the Lakers fireplace JJ Redick already? pic.twitter.com/fidLO2aWnq
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) December 3, 2024
The present season bears an unsettling resemblance to final yr’s struggles.
Regardless of hopes that Redick would carry a recent strategy after Darvin Ham’s inconsistent tenure, the Lakers’ document stays just about unchanged after 21 video games.
This stark similarity has followers questioning whether or not significant progress has been made.
The large distinction, although, is that the 2023-24 Lakers caught round within the NBA Cup, finally profitable the first-ever in-season match championship.
In the meantime, Redick’s group is already out after dropping to each the Phoenix Suns and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
Ham’s management was marked by questionable in-game selections, public criticism of gamers, and an absence of accountability that in the end price the group playoff positioning.
In distinction, Redick has approached the problem with a extra measured technique, navigating a fancy roster of getting old and injury-prone stars.
It’s essential to acknowledge that Redick’s challenges prolong past his personal teaching skills.
Managing a group with legendary gamers like LeBron James and Anthony Davis is not any easy job for a rookie head coach.
The roster’s limitations and the strain of expectations create a high-wire act that few might navigate completely.
NEXT: Paul Pierce Speculates On LeBron James’ Retirement