Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said on May 20 that the team needs to improve both defensively and offensively following their elimination in the second round of the playoffs. Redick made these comments during his annual end-of-season press conference.
Redick said that despite winning 53 games, which was the most for the franchise since 2010-11, there were clear flaws in the team’s performance. “We clearly need to have a better overall season defensively,” Redick said. “I think we had flashes of that. I have said this numerous times, I think our improvement defensively is a big credit to our staff. Bob and Greg, and the work they did in film and in walk throughs.
“Playing 48 straight games without a two-day break and not being able to practice is insanity. And trying to get better in the midst of that is a real challenge. Both those guys did a great job, but we’ve got to be better defensively. Certainly can talk about personnel, but we’re going assess as a staff what we did well, what we did not do well, and figure out ways to be better there.”
Redick also pointed out areas for growth on offense: “I think Luke [Kennard] is a great example. He’s a guy that can dribble, pass and shoot,” he said. “I think because of injuries, there were times we didn’t have enough of that. We’ve got to be better at being able to dribble, pass and shoot. I know that sounds simple, but that’s just the reality.”
Looking ahead at roster changes for next season with available cap space and draft capital, Redick acknowledged it will take significant improvements for the Lakers to compete with teams like Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs.
After their playoff elimination, Redick summarized his outlook: “I do think that if you’re trying to win a championship, and this organization is. I’m trying to win a championship. I know [Rob Pelinka] is trying to win a championship, I know Jeanie [Buss] is, I know Mark [Walter] is. We’re trying to win a championship. So you have to be realistic and assess where you’re at, and we’re not good enough right now… There probably will be some continuity; there probably won’t be. But that’s what the next two months are for.”
