D’Angelo Russell is the latest Lakers player to praise incoming coach JJ Redick and the new systems he’s implementing in LA.
It’s no secret that Russell has struggled to build a strong relationship with Lakers coach Darvin Ham over the past two seasons.
But the guard has a different experience with Redick.
“I’m not throwing anyone … but I haven’t had a chance to build a relationship with a coach in a long time,” Russell said, using. ESPN. “To see how JJ tries to bring the play calls and just the IQ level to each practice and each film session, to see how he prioritizes that. I have always been a person who wants to prioritize high IQ, [high-level] verbiage, [high-level] film sessions … like, let’s get up to that. And he clearly does. It’s something we have to look forward to.”
Russell went on to explain how he was out golfing this week and found himself thinking back to one of the games Redick has started in camp.
Then he reached out to Redick and showed his appreciation.
“I was on the golf course and I was thinking about it and I sent JJ a little word,” Russell said. “I thank him for putting that [play] outside. I had never seen it. I’m not trying to preach to you but thank you for showing me that. … I saw him go into his bag right there and it’s exciting for the players to see things like that.”
The Lakers will open their season opener against the Timberwolves on Friday, marking Redick’s first NBA coaching stint.
READ MORE: Karl-Anthony Towns Shares Emotional Farewell to Timberwolves
Source link
