JJ Redick, the former sharpshooter turned media personality, is set to take on a new and unexpected role as the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. While he never donned the purple and gold as a player, Redick’s history with some of the Lakers’ legends, particularly Kobe Bryant.
During a recent appearance on 7 PM in Brooklyn Carmelo Anthony, who retired with the Lakers in 2023, shared a compelling anecdote about the friction between Bryant and Redick during Team USA tryouts. This story, set against the backdrop of Mike Krzyzewski‘s tenure as Team USA head coach, reveals a lot about the competitive spirit that defined both Bryant and Redick.
Krzyzewski, who had coached Redick at Duke, often praised the guard for his impressive collegiate achievements, including being a two-time ACC Player of the Year and the 2006 National Player of the Year. However, this admiration was not shared by Bryant.
“I remember Kobe couldn’t stand JJ Redick,” Anthony said to CBS Sports. Although the exact date of the story remains unspecified, it appears to be from the tryouts ahead of the 2008 Beijing Games.
“He got tired of Coach K talking about JJ Redick,” Anthony said. “Kobe took it very, very personal. To the point where he was running through screens in practice. He was denying JJ the ball. Fouling the s— out of JJ. I’m like, why are you treating the young boy like that?”
Bryant’s competitive nature didn’t allow Redick an inch. “This motherf—– ain’t let JJ Redick score in practice,” Anthony said. This relentless drive from Bryant was characteristic of his approach to the game, pushing both himself and those around him to their limits.
Interestingly, despite this rocky start, Redick later credited Bryant as an inspiration for his Mind The Game podcast with LeBron James, highlighting how interactions with legends can leave a lasting impact.
Redick’s journey with USA Basketball saw him win gold medals with the Under-21 team at the World Championship and Global Games in 2005, though he never made the Olympics roster. Bryant, on the other hand, went on to secure gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2012 London Games, further cementing his legacy.
As Redick steps into his new role with the Lakers, this history with Bryant may serve as a reminder of the high standards and intense competitive spirit that define the franchise.
His experience, both as a player and as someone who has faced and learned from the best, positions him uniquely to lead the team. The Lakers, a franchise built on the legacies of legends like Bryant, will now look to Redick to channel his experiences and insights into coaching success.