Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick is excited to see what the team’s latest addition, Drew Timme, is going to bring to the table. Redick has set his expectations for the Gonzaga standout, who was signed to a two-way contract on November 24.
Speaking to reporters a day after Timme was signed, Redick discussed what Timme would add to the Lakers. He praised the big man’s ability to make plays on the block, as well as his other skills like shooting and rebounding.
“He is tremendously skilled offensively. We haven’t really had a big here as a hub, as like a passing guy that you can kind of play out of the high post with. (Anthony Davis), to an extent, but a lot of the stuff we ran for him in those spots was to get him a shot and not to be a playmaker. The thing that’s kind of underrated with him is his defensive rebounding is really good, particularly for his size. He’s produced at every level and looking forward to coaching him,” Redick said, via Khobi Price of The Orange County Register.
Timme made his Lakers debut against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday during garbage time. He scored his first bucket in purple and gold colors, and added a steal in just a minute of action.
LeBron James Compares Redick to Legendary Coach
Before becoming a head coach, JJ Redick learned under some great mentors as a player, like Stan Van Gundy with the Orlando Magic, Doc Rivers with the Los Angeles Clippers, Brett Brown with the Philadelphia 76ers, Alvin Gentry with the New Orleans Pelicans and Rick Carlisle with the Dallas Mavericks.
However, Redick’s greatest mentor is arguably Mike Krzyzewski, who was his coach at Duke University. LeBron James even compared him to Coach K on a recent episode of the “Mind The Game” podcast with Steve Nash.
“It’s been no sugarcoating with the coaches that put him in the position that he’s in today. I had an opportunity to play for Coach K a couple of times. Coach K, there’s no sugarcoating. He’s gonna tell you exactly how he feels if you’re not doing it right. But it’s going to be in a very stern, but loving way,” James said, via NBA Analysis.
James played under Krzyzewski in three major tournaments: the 2007 FIBA Americas, the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics.
Redick Wants to Win NBA Cup
After beating the LA Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers clinched a spot in the knockout rounds of the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup. While some fans and players still don’t care about the In-Season Tournament, JJ Redick wants to win it.
“I really enjoyed it as a broadcaster, covering it, talking about it. Didn’t get an opportunity to compete for the cup last year, so we’re excited. I mean, $53,000 is a lot of money. It just is. So I’m sure there’s some extra motivation,” Redick said, via Lakers Nation.
The Lakers won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023, when they were coached by Darvin Ham. LeBron James was named NBA Cup MVP.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post JJ Redick Reveals Expectations for New Lakers Addition appeared first on Heavy Sports.