The Lakers suffered another embarrassing loss under JJ Redick amid their rough run with three losses in four games. LA got decimated 115-103 against Detroit in a relatively easy game. The Lakers were heavy favorites, but a 20-point deficit made it difficult to turn things around despite a spirited effort down the stretch.
Redick was under scrutiny again for some of his decisions in crunch moments. His rotations didn't seem as sharp and the team wasn't organized offensively or defensively. Redick's reliance on the veterans also drew flak. Some fans even compared him to former coach Darvin Ham, who was frequently scrutinized for favoring older players when the team struggled.
Here's what one X user wrote:
"Is JJ Redick just Darvin Ham with his hands out of his pocket?"
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It was a reference to Ham's mannerisms courtside, where he almost always had his hands in his pocket.
"Looks like the JJ Redick honeymoon period is over…," added another fan.
"Second JJ Redick game that really befuddled me with what he was doing out there. Rotations were bad and it seemed like we stopped running as much plays in this one," one fan said.
"They was on here calling JJ Redick, Phil Jackson last week," another fan said.
"JJ redick trick people by the way he speak I see why how got this job without 0 experience," one fan joked.
"Yeah, if I was JJ Redick, I would crashout over a Pistons loss," one fan said.
JJ Redick reacts to Lakers going 1-3 on road trip
Coach JJ Redick's fairytale start hasn't sustained for the Lakers. As sharp as they were in their first four games, the Lakers have been just as bad since. The attention to detail and lack of organization are reminiscent of how LA played under Darvin Ham last year.
Redick seemed frustrated after the loss as expected.
“We’re all disappointed. We’re all disappointed," Redick said about the team's mood in the locker room.
Redick highlighted what the Lakers need to do better in this kind of game. He pointed out that the team needs to lean more into playing defense early.
“We need to start the game with a little more pride defensively," Redick said.
The Lakers' biggest problem has been their defense, particularly defending in transition. Teams with athletic and speedy perimeter players easily get the advantage against LA's defense, and that's what Detroit played off. Jaden Ivey was a beneficiary of that, leading to his 26 points on the night.
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