EL SEGUNDO — As someone who played in the NBA for 15 seasons, Lakers coach JJ Redick knows and understands changing the starting lineup – even if it’s “fluid”, as Redick to put it – is a significant choice to make.
That’s why when he decided to insert Cam Reddish into the first unit in place of D’Angelo Russell ahead of Friday’s home matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, Redick made it clear it wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Or a reaction to Russell’s series of bad plays in Wednesday’s road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, with Redick going viral for his expressive reaction after calling a timeout and that preceded Russell being benched for the remainder of that game.
“I’m not somebody who’s just gonna like overreact and have … 19 different starting lineups in 25 games,” Redick said. “It required a lot of thought and, to be honest with you, it also required removing emotion from it because there is a balance as a coach in trying to do what is what you believe is best for the group but also being empathetic and sensitive to each player and trying to maximize those players and empower those players and not mess up or sort of put something in their head about what they are or what they aren’t.”
The move paid off at least for one game, with the Lakers beating the 76ers 116-106 and showcasing more two-way balance between the starters and reserves.
Reddish (three points, five rebounds, one steal and a blocked shot) provided the Lakers with the defensive impact they were looking for, primarily guarding Paul George, who struggled in his third game of the season.
The No. 10 pick in the 2019 draft, Reddish only took one shot in 28 minutes.
“Every team is different, every coach is different,” Reddish said after the team’s practice Saturday morning. “I just go out there and do what he tells me to do. In my past life, I was going out there doing what I wanted to do. That doesn’t necessarily work all the time.”
Russell had a strong performance in his new role, scoring 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers, to go with three assists in 25 minutes.
“Any lineup change is fluid,” Redick said after practice. “Any rotation change, which we’ve already had a few iterations of that, they’re all fluid. We’re trying to make decisions in real time that we think will help the group. And ultimately help the individual. [Friday] night was a good example of that.”
Players often view being moved from a starting to a bench role as a demotion, which can sometimes be reflected in their play.
Redick made clear that wasn’t the case.
“I’m not surprised that he approached the game the way that he did and that he had the performance he had,” Redick said of Russell. “He’s been accepting of the role. He has talked with me all the time. He has a really strong desire to win and he has a really strong desire to be coached. And our communication level from June 20th to [Friday] has been nothing but open, honest and transparent. And I would assume it will continue to be.
Redick added: “You see it all the time in the league where guys can take that the wrong way. Like it’s some sort of punishment, play the victim and D-Lo didn’t do any of that. And that’s part of the reason that he had the game that he had.”
Russell isn’t a stranger to this situation.
The 10th-year guard was a Day One starter last season before being briefly moved to a reserve role from late December to mid-January amid the team’s and his own struggles.
“I just want to win,” Russell responded when asked whether his relationship with Redick made being moved to the bench easier. “However it happened, however the conversation, however the relationship, whatever it may be – try to be professional and be a part of winning. Simple as that.
“I left all that, all my baggage at the door this summer once we changed coaches and new staff came in. I was committed to whatever it takes. That’s what y’all see now.”
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And just like that trust Redick built with Russell, he’s also built it with Reddish, who went from not even being in the rotation as of last week to having a pivotal role as a starter.
“First time coaching him, you got to build some trust,” Redick said. “And his last two games on that road trip, the defensive effort was there and again the trust got built more and after [Friday] there’s more trust. That’s kind of how this works and so I just felt comfortable with him in that role for [Friday].”
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