JJ Redick’s Glaring Difference In Lakers’ First Loss Highlights Darvin Ham’s Failed Tenure

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns | Head Coach JJ Redick
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers are undefeated no longer as they lost 109-105 to the Phoenix Suns Monday night. However, unlike previous Lakers head coaches, JJ Redick strictly took responsibility for the team’s 18-point meltdown and a lackluster second quarter.

“If there’s one thing to nitpick, it’s probably me,” Redick told reporters. “I probably should’ve gone to the fire a possession or two earlier against [Kevin Durant] … We should never have a 14-point quarter, so that’s on me as well. I have to make sure we’re running good offense.”

Though a close loss could be a tough pill to swallow, having a rookie head coach to shoulder the blame is always a good sign of things to come. Just four games into his tenure, Redick has already provided a breath of fresh air to a Lakers team that’s been in dire need of true leadership.

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JJ Redick Providing Leadership Through Accountability

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns | Head Coach JJ Redick
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Prior to Redick’s hiring, Darvin Ham was at the helm of the Lakers coaching staff. In two seasons with the Purple and Gold, Ham had a combined regular season record of 90-74 and amounted to a 9-12 playoff record. Unfortunately, Ham was never the ideal fit to lead the Lakers and his lack of accountability was front and center at almost every game.

After being eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in consecutive playoffs, Ham was quick to point fingers as he presumably knew his time in Los Angeles was nearing an end.

“It’s been extremely challenging,” Ham said (h/t Dave McMenamin of ESPN). “Everyone that’s been in and out of the lineup. Being criticized for not having a consistent rotation when I don’t have consistent healthy bodies. The thing that frustrates me, and I love this job, I love the pressure that comes with it, I’ve always been calm in the midst of chaos … If you’re coaching a team and one of your starters is like 10 games in a row, just s—ting the bed, what are you going to do?”

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Despite claiming his passion for coaching in the NBA, his heart was always in question and he could be criticized for possibly being too calm in the midst of chaos.

It was rare to see Ham express any sort of emotion. He was often seen with his hands tucked away in his pockets, lacking urgency as the team looked his way for guidance. But worst of all, Ham didn’t believe that he was liable for any of the Lakers’ underperforming seasons and blamed the health of his players.

Additionally, Anthony Davis spoke publicly about how disoriented the Lakers were at times during their first-round series with the Nuggets in the 2024 playoffs.

“We have stretches where we don’t know what we’re doing on both ends of the floor,” Davis said.

Fast forward to today, and the Los Angeles Lakers are off to a strong 3-1 start under its new coaching staff. Despite missing key pieces such as Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood, Redick has left little room for excuses and remains focused on fixing his errors.

The 40-year-old head coach will look to become the 10th first-year head coach to win an NBA title, and if all the early signs of success continue, JJ Redick will be the face of a new chapter in Los Angeles history.