JJ Redick recently admitted that coaching a legend like LeBron James involves some very intense moments during games. He told reporters that while they usually work together on strategy, there are times when LeBron completely takes over.
Redick explained that at 41 years old, LeBron knows the game so well that he often sees opportunities before anyone else does. Instead of being offended, Redick embraces these moments because he trusts LeBron’s instincts to make the right call in the heat of the battle.
The coach made it clear that their relationship is built on an ongoing dialogue where both sides can be completely honest. By sharing these raw exchanges, Redick showed fans that the Lakers’ sideline is a place of high emotion and transparency.
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“Every night he doesn’t have his best stuff, but he has enough to win. I’m his catcher. I’ve figured out how to call the pitches. Sometimes he tells me F off, he calls his own pitch, which is fine too.”
Redick Compares Coaching LeBron To Catching For A Hall Of Fame Pitcher
To help people understand his coaching style, Redick used a unique baseball analogy. He compared LeBron James to legendary pitcher Greg Maddux at the very end of his career.
Redick described himself as the catcher to LeBron’s pitcher. In baseball, the catcher usually calls the pitches, but a veteran like Maddux earned the right to overrule them. Redick said his job is to figure out the best way to use LeBron based on the opponent and the situation, but he is perfectly fine with LeBron calling his own pitch.
This comparison highlights how the Lakers’ strategy has evolved. Instead of Redick trying to control every single move LeBron makes, he provides a framework and then lets the superstar’s Hall of Fame brain take over.
LeBron Embraces Redick’s “No Sugarcoating” Style
LeBron James has also spoken out about why he enjoys playing for Redick, citing a no sugarcoating culture that reminds him of his early days in basketball. He mentioned that Redick is a winner who was taught the game the right way, much like LeBron’s former coach, Mike Krzyzewski.
LeBron explained that he comes from an old school background where coaches would hold everyone accountable for even the smallest mistakes. He respects that Redick doesn’t care about a player’s status; if someone isn’t meeting the team’s standards, Redick will let them know.
By publicly backing Redick’s tough coaching style, LeBron has helped establish a culture of accountability in the Lakers’ locker room. He believes that if you take Redick’s criticisms personally, you miss the actual message meant to help you improve. This mutual respect between the coach and the star has been a major factor in the Lakers’ strong start to the 2026 season.
Published: Jan 8, 2026 11:21 am