LOS ANGELES – When JJ Redick was first hired as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, he was compared to the great Pat Riley. Redick's path to coaching followed a similar story, in that he went straight into broadcasting after retirement and had no prior coaching experience before joining the Lakers staff in 1979.
Before the Lakers' game against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, Pat Riley was honored with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena, the latest in a long list of franchise legends immortalized outside the Lakers' home arena.
During his pregame press conference, JJ Redick talked about Riley's influence on coaching, along with comparisons to the legendary Lakers coach.
Redick said, "I didn't think much about the comparisons at the time. I think Pat kind of set the standard for modern NBA coaches. I've always looked at the NBA as two different eras." “You can make the demarcation point right at the time of the merger or right in 80-81 when Dallas joined as the 23rd team.”
"And that, to me, is the beginning of the modern NBA. And that's right when the '80s Lakers run started," Redick continued. "Pat set the standard for what a modern NBA coach should be."
Redick is in the second year of his four-year contract, which he signed as head coach of the Lakers through the 2024 offseason. In his first year, he led the Lakers to a 50–32 record and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoff picture.
In comparison, Riley led the Lakers to a 50–21 record after taking over as head coach during the 1981–82 season. His overall record was 57–25. The Lakers would win the title that year, starting a streak of eight consecutive NBA Finals appearances with a total of four championships.
Pat Riley's thoughts on JJ Redick
Pat Riley's final two seasons as head coach coincided with the first two seasons of JJ Redick's NBA career. But even after returning to an officiating role with the Miami Heat, he had to worry about game-planning for Redick.
Although Riley has been employed by the Heat organization since 1995, he still keeps an eye on his old team, and believes they hit a home run with Redick Hires.
"I love JJ, I really do. I competed against him, my teams competed against him," Riley said during a media availability session before the game. "Sometimes I look back and I miss that time. And I look at JJ and I think they picked the right person. I think there's just that quality about him that goes beyond that."
While not identical to the roster Riley was working with when he first became head coach of the Lakers, Redick had to integrate the talents of LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves together. Riley believes the Lakers have a good team and the organization has put Redick in a position to succeed.
“They have a great team right here for that [Luka] Doncic and [Austin] With Reeves and obviously LeBron," Riley said. "I think Rob [Pelinka]. . .And the new ownership will build the team to compliment those players, but they have a great opportunity. I think JJ will be a good coach for them.
