Lakers coach J.J. Redick was visibly frustrated following his team’s 131-114 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. He was particularly upset that his players, aside from 39-year-old LeBron James, failed to match his level of effort. James delivered a standout performance, scoring a season-high 39 points in just 35 minutes, especially in the absence of Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura. Redick acknowledged James’ impressive performance but made it clear that the rest of the team did not meet the same standard of effort, which he considered a major issue.
During the postgame press conference, Redick expressed his disappointment over the team’s lack of intensity, criticizing their sluggish defensive effort and failure to execute basic plays. He emphasized that James, despite his age, outworked everyone on the team and that this should set the standard for how every player approaches the game.
He called out the players for jogging back on defense, failing to match up properly, and allowing easy points after made shots. Redick’s frustration was evident when he abruptly ended his remarks, telling reporters that he had already addressed the issue with the team, signaling his dissatisfaction with the overall effort.
Redick also pointed to specific players, including veteran D’Angelo Russell, whose performance was subpar. Russell played just 22 minutes, his lowest of the season, and was benched for much of the second half. Despite scoring 12 points, he struggled with his shooting, hitting only 4-of-12 attempts, including just 2-of-9 from three-point range. Redick explained that the reduced minutes for Russell were not a punishment but rather a tactical decision, believing the team had a better chance to win with other players on the floor. He noted that Russell’s inconsistency had been a recurring issue, despite improvements at times.
Thursday’s loss capped off a tough 1-4 road trip for the Lakers, a stretch that also included losses to the Suns, Cavaliers, and Pistons, with a lone victory against the Raptors. While the Lakers started the season strong with a 3-0 record, their recent performance has been inconsistent, undermining their potential. This loss to the Grizzlies reinforced the concerns that the team has not been playing up to expectations, with Redick highlighting the importance of commitment and effort from the entire roster.
Redick made it clear that the root of the issue was a lack of collective effort and focus, pointing to the choices players make on a nightly basis as a key factor in their performance. He stressed that it was not just about making shots, but about the team’s overall approach to the game. Redick believes that when a core group of players consistently chooses to give maximum effort, the team can be successful. However, when only a few players bring that level of intensity, it will inevitably lead to poor results, as was the case in their loss to the Grizzlies.
