“That's a problem” – Los Angeles Lakers boss Jeanie Buss makes candid admission on hiring JJ Redick

• Jeanie Buss revealed how GM Rob Pelinka handpicked JJ Redick as Lakers head coach, trusting his vision.
  
• Despite concerns over Redick’s inexperience, Buss praised his growing chemistry with Pelinka.
  
• Redick, now leading the Lakers, helped secure the No. 3 seed with a win over Houston.
  

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss has broken her silence on how J.J. Redick landed in the organization amid the team’s search for a new head coach. Speaking publicly, Buss addressed the Lakers’ decision-making process. The former NBA sharpshooter Redick emerged as a leading candidate for the job, but it also raised eyebrows over him as a rookie coach geared up to lead one of the biggest NBA organizations.

Jeanie Buss shared how JJ Redick secured the head coach position at the Los Angeles Lakers

JJ Redick was officially named the 29th head coach in Los Angeles Lakers history on June 24, 2024. The hire marked his first professional coaching role, with his only prior experience being as a volunteer coach for his 9-year-old son's fourth-grade team at the Brooklyn Basketball Academy.

There was a huge concern over the decision, while many accused that he was hired because of his Mind the Game podcast with LeBron James. Lakers boss, Jeanie Buss has recently had a chat on SiriusXM podcast where she explained the reason behind the decision to hire Redick.


“When the decision was made to part ways with Darvin Ham, I said to Rob [Pelinka], 'I want you to go find a coach that meets how you look at the process and complement your style. Think differently. You don't have to do the standard re-thread of a coach. That's a problem,'” Buss said.

Pelinka ultimately came back with J.J. Redick as a standout candidate. Redick strongly resonated with Pelinka. Buss shared that she had her confidence in allowing him to select a coach who truly reflected the vision of the organization.

“I just wanted him to have the freedom and after doing his work, he came back to me and JJ [Redick] was really resonating with him. My confidence was in Rob Pelinka...he should have the opportunity to have a coach that really reflected his vision," she added.

In an interview with ESPN, Buss previously admitted she had initial reservations about hiring Redick as head coach due to his lack of experience. “I was worried about hiring a rookie coach… that was a big leap,” Buss said, acknowledging the weight of leading such a huge and popular franchise. However, she expressed confidence in the chemistry between Redick and GM Rob Pelinka, adding, “I love watching the progress that they’re making,” as the two continue to build a new chapter for the Lakers.

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Redick has been doing good for the team with a decent win percentage. Still, there is a long road ahead for the former NBA star’s coaching tenure. As for the team, with Friday’s victory over Houston, the Lakers have secured the No. 3 seed.