After having contact with Rob Pelinka, the GM of the Lakers, JJ Redick finally had an interview this weekend in Los Angeles. After Dan Hurley's refusal, JJ Redick becomes the number 1 option again to coach the Lakers next season, even if the James Borrego track remains relevant.
Unlike James Borrego, JJ Redick has never been an assistant or coach. Since his retirement as a player, he has made a name for himself as a consultant, and it is he who comments on the Finals alongside Mike Breen and Doris Burke. Which means that if he is chosen, he will need to surround himself well.
The importance of relationships
“It was a bit of a slog, to be honest (about his Warriors debut). I had planned everything beforehand with the staff, but it was like the first day of school, except I was a brand new teacher”, remembers Steve Kerr. “We must overcome these difficulties. But I remember the first two days being a bit chaotic. I was trying to do a lot of things. I quickly realized that you don't have as much time as you'd like to solve every problem. And that's a big part of the job. »
Faced with a lack of time and his inexperience, Steve Kerr surrounded himself with two veterans from the sidelines: Alvin Gentry and Ron Adams, the Tex Winter of the Warriors. On arrival, a title in its first season!
“I was lucky to have Ron Adams and Alvin Gentry with me. Although I shouldn't call it luck. I intentionally hired them because I knew I would need their expertise,” explains the Warriors coach. “And they’ve been great and helped me through this transition process.” »
Inexperience as a head coach can be filled, which cannot be the case with relationships which is a crucial part of the job for Derek Fisher who did not take it into account enough at the Knicks in 2014.
Take risks and own them
“For example, he has a podcast with LeBron. That didn't exist at the time I made that transition. But it's a good example of what a difference it makes for a guy who maybe doesn't have coaching experience. Either way, it’s really the relationships with the players that determine your success to a large extent,” believes Derek Fisher. “So if you're in a position where you can rely on that, it helps offset the experience part. The lack of coaching experience can be filled by the staff. »
In 1999, Doc Rivers also got the job in Orlando with no prior experience. The current Bucks coach stood out with a strong choice after a few regular season games: changing his offensive system. A choice which had been advised against him by his two assistants, David Wohl and Johnny Davis.
“I said, 'Yeah, I'll do it.' And they were all against it, and I did it.”he remembers. “It changed our team because it fit who we were. It took courage. So that taught me a lot. You will be wrong sometimes, but you have to be willing to be confronted with your mistakes and you have to be willing to take risks. I thought that was the biggest lesson of this year. »
At the end, a Coach of the Year title for Doc Rivers!
