EXCLUSIVE
JJ Redick can be the perfect hire for the Los Angeles Lakers and can lead LeBron James to another NBA title
LeBron James' window to win his fifth NBA title is being held open by the prying hands of first-year head coach, JJ Redick.
At first glance it might seem that window is going to be quickly slammed shut as the player-turned-podcaster-turned NBA head coach has zero experience in coaching, let alone leading a team.
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Not so fast.
In an exclusive with talkSPORT, the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen believes Redick will be successful for James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
He cites two specific reasons.
"I think it has a chance to really work," said Feigen, who has been covering the NBA game for decades and has seen just about everything.
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"JJ Redick is an outstanding communicator. He gets his point across. You put a good staff in front of him and he's a smart guy.
"He's worked and played for very good coaches throughout his career, they will make good decisions. But, you know, nobody's reinventing the game.
"He communicates well to get his point across to get what he wants understood in the heat of the moment. You can do that at practice, but as a first year coach, can you do that right there in that time out?
"I think he'll have a chance to be very good at that."
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Communication for any coach is crucial, especially for a man doing the job for the first time in his life.
However, there is a second reason, possibly more important than communication, especially for this Lakers team.
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"The second reason, LeBron respects him and that is huge," Feigen said.
"That's huge with any team and any best player on the team, but LeBron is such an enormous influence on any roster on any team that
includes him.
"The fact that he respects JJ Redick will go a long way for JJ to be
successful."
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It's no secret that in order for any head coach of a James led team to be successful, they must have the respect of their superstar.
Erik Spoelstra and Tyronn Lue are the best examples of coaches who have earned James' respect and won championships together.
However, for every Spoelstra and Lue, there is a David Blatt, Luke Walton, and most recently Darvin Hamm.
And whichever category you want to put Frank Vogel in.
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James played against Redick for fifteen seasons, so the two have a feel for what the other is all about, establishing mutual respect throughout those years.
In that regard, Redick will be just fine. And as far as communication goes?
As recently as last season, they launched a podcast. Together.
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Communication seemed to be just fine as they discussed the game of basketball in-depth.
However communicating in a one possession game at the end of the fourth quarter is a whole lot different than recording a podcast over a glass of wine.
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