LOS ANGELES — In an effort to rejuvenate their struggling team, the Los Angeles Lakers have made a significant change to their starting lineup, opting to replace D’Angelo Russell with Cam Reddish. This decision came as the Lakers prepared to face off against the Philadelphia 76ers following a disappointing road trip that resulted in a 1-4 record.
For the first time this season, Russell found himself starting the game on the bench. Under the guidance of rookie coach JJ Redick, Russell has had a less-than-stellar start to the season, averaging only 12.0 points and 5.8 assists per game. His shooting percentage has also been concerning, as he has connected on just 37.5% of his attempts and exhibited passive play at times on both sides of the court.
Redick’s decision to bench Russell in the latter half of the Lakers’ recent loss to Memphis was prompted by some poor choices made by the guard. Although Redick acknowledged that Russell had moments of solid play, he also pointed out that Russell has been prone to “reverting back to certain habits” that are counterproductive. A moment of frustration was captured on social media when Redick visibly reacted by slamming his chair following one of Russell’s errors. The coach clarified that his anger was not solely directed at Russell but was a response to a series of mistakes by the team as a whole, which he communicated clearly with Russell prior to the game.
“Basketball is an emotional game,” Redick explained. “I’m a competitive person. I have passion, and sometimes emotions can get the better of you momentarily. This won’t be the first time it happens, and it definitely won’t be the last. I’m not an unfeeling automaton.”
During his pregame remarks, Redick did not hint at any impending changes to the starting lineup, making the adjustment a bit of a surprise. The inclusion of Reddish in the starting role likely allows Russell to play with greater offensive freedom among the bench players instead of being relegated to waiting for chances while sharing the court with stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Reddish has seen limited playing time this season, participating in just three games and averaging 5.0 points. However, he brings much-needed defensive skills to the wing position, an area where the Lakers have struggled during their recent games.
Though Redick is still new to the coaching role, with only eight games under his belt, he has already garnered attention for his animated coaching style. His postgame press conference after the Memphis loss ended abruptly when he dropped the microphone and left the room.
Despite the challenges faced, Redick has expressed that he does not regret showing his true self in this new role. In fact, his frustration with the Lakers’ recent performances has only heightened his enthusiasm for the journey ahead.
“It has reaffirmed my belief that I’m somewhat of a masochist,” Redick remarked. “I find myself more invigorated by the obstacles we encounter. I’ve always believed in the potential for growth through adversity. That’s the essence of why I wanted to step into coaching—it’s not just to coast on easy days.”