How should we evaluate Reddick s performance in his first season in coaching the Lakers?

(The original article was published on May 3, and the author is the Lakers' record of TheAthletic. The content of the article does not represent the translator's views)

At the end of October last year, the Lakers designed a tactical running position for rookie wing player Kneckett in the early stage of the second quarter. When Kneckett got a fleeting opportunity to open, the rookie gave up the chance to take a 27-foot three-pointer. The basketball finally passed to James when there was no time left in offense. James failed to make a breakthrough. With the 24-second violation beep, the Lakers missed the attack.

When the players returned to defense, head coach Redick stood up and scolded the players sternly. The live broadcast footage captured some of the scenes, and Redick roared, "Bring that damn ball!" The video immediately went viral on the Internet.

After the post-match press conference that night, after the Lakers ushered in their first defeat this season, Redick, who was standing on the podium, became more and more excited. He suddenly threw the microphone on the table, then turned his head and looked away, and the scene was once embarrassed.

Redick's reaction is very different from what he said when he was interviewed by TheAthletic at the UCLA Health Training Hall a few weeks ago. When asked how he would deal with his first defeat in his NBA coaching career, he was sure to accept it calmly.

"I will be fine," Redick said at the time, "I won't have any problems."

But after the real defeat, Redick obviously failed to keep his calm. He was so angry that he could not calm down, and his disappointment was beyond words.

In his 15-year NBA career, he is determined to win every time he stepped on the court, and losses will always hit him hard. As the Lakers coach, this obsession with winning remains the same.

"I think I should win every time I appear." Redick admitted before the subsequent game. This almost paranoid view of victory or defeat is the core characteristic throughout his career.

Redick's confidence and competitiveness ran through the entire season. He ended his interviews with a sharp "match-breaking" method at pre-match press conferences many times. Whenever he encounters unhappy problems, his expression will always reveal his true emotions instantly, especially those questions he has publicly criticized as a media person and have a preset narrative tendency.

During this year's playoffs, Redick twice recreated the intense scene after the game in Phoenix last October. When the third quarter of G2 against the Timberwolves was suspended in the first round (this game was the only victory in the Lakers series), Reddick's swearing clip of the team ignited the Internet again.

"This is not the way I am happy to use," Redick explained after the game, "but I will never hesitate when necessary. The situation tonight is more about the need to reactivate the team's urgency." This statement confirmed that Redick seamlessly continued the iron-blooded style that the player era was tempered into the coach's seat.

On the eve of G5, which was behind 1-3 in the series, Reddick once again staged a famous scene of "smashing the wheat".

Previously, he insisted on letting the Lakers starters play the entire second half of the second half, setting a historical precedent for the NBA playoffs, and this controversial decision became the focus of media's questioning. Redick always defended the decision during the training day interview and the pre-match press conference for Game 5. On the side of the training field, he refuted the reporter's statement that the player was exhausted in the last quarter (the five players on the Lakers were hit with a 32-19 attack wave after playing for 24 minutes in a row). "If we review the game now, we scored 19 points in the last quarter? 20 points? Or 13 points?" Redick emphasized, "The essence of the problem lies in the game trend... Our two core players missed layups at the last moment, and I don't think this is caused by fatigue."

Redick and the media's more intense confrontation occurred before the start of the fifth game. When asked if he would rely on the assistant team to assist in the rotation and dispatching, Redick suddenly retorted: "Do you say this because you think I lack experience? I think that decision exposed the immaturity of coaching?" He finally fell off the microphone and left the seat and said, "Do you think I don't discuss rotation with the assistant coach every time?" This series of reactions fully demonstrated his disgust and the right to be questioned about coaching authority.

Redick's decision to let the five play the second half is understandable to some extent, considering the Lakers' substitute's struggle throughout the series and the team's 1-3-0-0 win. But after the game he refused to admit that the move may have had mistakes or drawbacks (especially considering that there has never been such a precedent in NBA playoff history that makes sense), this attitude is a mixture of arrogance and stubbornness.

The more Redick tried his best to defend, the more he made the matter a hot topic in the United States. When the series trend continues to be unfavorable (the promising Lakers eventually lose five games, including two home games), this decision seems increasingly ugly in the public opinion field.

ESPN's revelation said that TNT commentator Reggie Miller had to appease Redick's emotions in the pre-match meeting of Lake Wolves' fifth game, pushing the controversy to a climax. It should be noted that NBA head coaches usually attend the TV broadcaster's meeting directly after the pre-match press conference, which means that Redick is likely to have been in a state of anger due to rotation and dispatch issues at that time. This escalating public opinion storm ultimately made Redick's coaching season show the same edge as the player's era in the spotlight.

Back to the years of playing for Duke, Redick has always been a polarized figure. People in the world always have a clear attitude towards him, either loving or hating him. He has a handsome appearance, charming charm and a sense of oppression formed by his sharp mind, and often wanders around the boundaries of confidence and arrogance. Those often thoughtful and gorgeous responses sometimes feel contemptuous by his condescending tone, as if he was not at all questioning or challenge.

But no matter what, Redick is always unconcealed to be himself. Just as he mentioned frequently this season, this trait allows him to maintain an almost paranoid desire to win and self-confidence, and also maintain a clear understanding of failures and weaknesses.

After the Lakers finished their playoff journey, Redick admitted in the season summary: "As a coach, I still have huge room for growth." This statement revealed the contradictory but self-consistent background in his personality. The controversialist who showed his sharp edge in the spotlight finally maintained a sense of awe of his profession.

"I will use my own standards to evaluate it, and I will refer to the feedback from the players and coaching staff." Redick said, "But I know that I can do better and will definitely get better. The results of this season cannot satisfy me. It's not that I am not proud of the team's achievements. Our ability to adapt on the spot and our performance in the first round of home advantage are worthy of recognition. But the room for improvement will always exist, and I still have a long way to go."

Lakers management responded quickly. At the season summary meeting, General Manager Pelinka praised Redick's performance at the beginning. According to TheAthletic, Reddick's position as a coach is solid, and the Lakers management is full of confidence in his realization of his young coach's potential. Taking into account various factors, the rookie coach's new debut season has been a success. This support is not only a recognition of his coaching ability, but also implies tolerance for his distinct personality.

"Redick has injected the team and the entire Lakers family with a long-lost vitality and professional spirit," said Pelinka. "His demand for details and his focus on work have shown traits that we have not seen in many years. The management's confidence in him has never wavered. He is not only an excellent work partner, but also an extraordinary basketball wisdom. I am sure he will bring about progress that is worth celebrating every year, which is his innate trait. For the Lakers, fans, and the team's future, it is exciting."

Redick knows that the criteria for judging the NBA coaching seat will always be clear in victory or defeat. And taking charge of the Lakers' Coach Seal in Los Angeles, this pressure adds a bit heavier, and he either wins the championship or fails every season. Every decision is infinitely amplified on social media, live streaming across the U.S. and digital media. Even in such a high-pressure environment, no playoff rotation decision can cause an uproar like Redick G4's bold dispatch.

Redick chose to coach in part to better release his desire for competition. He missed the feeling of chasing the championship, the teammates in the locker room and the team bus, and was eager to solve problems and overcome major obstacles.

Despite lack of experience, Redick has proven himself an excellent coach. The Lakers ranked third in the Western Conference with a record of 50 wins and 32 losses. During this period, they also achieved a climax of 20 wins and 4 losses, ranking first in the league in defensive efficiency, which fully proves Redick's defensive system and ability to formulate game plans. He handled difficult rotation decisions, adjusted his team style several times, and won unanimous praise from the players for his excellent communication skills. Most importantly, he seamlessly connected Doncic's offensive and defensive system, and the relationship between the two as teammates played an important role in rapid integration.

Apart from the season's trough period (late November to mid-December last year), Reddick's coaching career season basically left doubters speechless. At least before this playoff series, it is difficult for the outside world to criticize him too much for his work.

But like all coaches who lead the team to play in the playoffs for the first time, Redick must experience the pain of growth. Although Redick did not specify it, he said he would conduct in-depth self-analysis during the offseason to develop plans to improve coaching level next season.

"We all know what the Lakers mean," Redick said frankly, "I said at the inaugural press conference that I know what kind of heavy responsibilities I have taken on, and I understand that I will bear many accusations, and I accept them calmly. But please believe that no one is more harsh on myself than I do."

Original text: JovanBuha

Translated by: Li Taibai