In his first playoff run as head coach of the LA Lakers, JJ Redick finds himself on the brink of being upset in round one. After their recent defeat in Game 4, one former teammate of LeBron James criticized Redick’s bold decision to keep the starters in for the entire second half.
Typically, coaches shorten their rotations in the playoffs to ensure their key players are on the court for longer stretches. However, Redick took this strategy to the extreme by not making a single substitution in the second half of Game 4. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith played every minute, but the gamble did not pay off as the Lakers fell short with a 116-113 loss.
During a recent episode of “First Take,” Kendrick Perkins expressed his disapproval of Redick’s decision to overextend veteran players like LeBron. He believed that Redick’s failure to give the starters a breather ultimately led to the loss in Game 4. Perkins pointed out that facing a young, athletic team like the Minnesota Timberwolves required a more strategic approach from the coach.
Magic Johnson, a Lakers legend, also criticized Redick’s lack of substitutions in Game 4. Johnson took to social media to voice his concerns, stating that it was unwise to keep LeBron on the court for an extended period without rest. Johnson believed that this overexertion contributed to LeBron’s limited impact in the fourth quarter, where he failed to score any points.
Despite LeBron’s contributions in other areas of the game, his inability to score in the fourth quarter proved costly for the Lakers. With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Redick now faces the challenge of regrouping and making adjustments before Game 5.
As the Lakers prepare for their next matchup, it is evident that Redick’s decision in Game 4 has come under scrutiny from former teammates and basketball legends. The pressure is on for Redick to make the necessary changes and lead the Lakers to victory in the upcoming games.
