JJ Redick, the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, just dropped a bombshell: he felt like he was “pretending” to be a coach for his entire first two seasons. Seriously, the guy who led the Lakers to a 50-32 record in year one and then followed it up with a 53-29 tally in year two thought he was just “cosplaying” the role. This isn’t just about a coach getting reps; it’s about a man who already delivered two 50-win seasons *without* feeling truly comfortable, and now he is. That’s a scary thought for the rest of the league.
Coach Redick’s Secret Struggle Despite Dominant Wins
Think about that for a second. Winning 50 games in your first season as a head coach is wildly impressive. Doing it again in your second year? That’s the mark of a truly talented mind. Redick has clearly shown he can get the most out of his team, with the source highlighting his “creative offensive sets and a strong acumen for defensive schemes.” But despite all that success and the visible talent, Redick wasn’t feeling it internally. He straight up admitted, “Early in my coaching career, I felt like I was cosplaying a little bit. Like I was pretending to be a coach. I just think you get more reps, you get more comfortable.” It’s wild to imagine that level of success coming from someone who didn’t fully own the role in his own head.
Luka’s Lakers Are About To Get Even Scarier
Now, heading into his third season in the 2026-27 campaign, everything’s different. Redick is finally feeling “much more confident” and “comfortable.” He’s genuinely “excited to finally feel like the head coach of one of the league’s most prestigious franchises.” This isn’t just some feel-good story; his newfound confidence and comfort could elevate his play style and make the Lakers an even better team than those two 50-win seasons already suggest. With LeBron James no longer there, Luka Doncic is the cornerstone, and the ceiling for this current roster is still incredibly high. Guys like Bronny James, Walker Kessler, and Austin Reaves, who Rob Pelinka has set a lofty goal for, are all part of a squad that’s about to be led by a coach who finally believes he belongs right where he is.
So, with Redick finally shedding the “pretending” act and stepping into his comfort zone, the 2026-27 Lakers season just got a whole lot more intriguing. Are we really about to see an even *better* version of a 50-win team? If Redick’s comfort translates to even more creative sets and defensive schemes with Luka Doncic leading the charge, the rest of the league needs to brace for impact.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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