Former Los Angeles Lakers big man Shaquille O’Neal has predicted that the Lakers could have a rough start to the season after appointing JJ Redick as their new head coach. Redick has taken over the coaching baton from Darvin Ham.
Meanwhile, Redick doesn’t have any experience of coaching in the NBA and will have his work cut. Redick had a 15-year-long career in the NBA and retired back in 2021. He is at 20th place in the list of most three-pointers in the NBA.
Meanwhile, it is well known that Redick has a strong relationship with Lakers star LeBron James, with whom he co-hosts a basketball podcast. O’Neal feels the Lakers’ success will depend on their talismanic duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
“The answer’s no, coach. That is the LeBron show, LeBron is in charge over there,” Shaquille O’Neal said on Pat McAfee show. “I think personally, they’re gonna have a rough start. And what I mean by that, you know as a coach, it’s all about respect and if I’m a guy that’s played seven, eight years and I’m getting a young coach who I think I was a better player than, there’s gonna be a level of no disrespect there.
“LeBron and AD will do a great job in keeping everybody in order. But if you really respect your coach, you really go out there and play hard.”
O’Neal, who made a potent alliance with late Kobe Bryant during his heydays for the Lakers, wished Redick nothing but the best for the upcoming season.
“I like JJ, he’s a good friend of mine, I hope he can. The Lakers, I wish they would’ve gotten younger. I can’t wait to see LeBron and Bronny and all these guys. I wish him nothing but good luck.”
The Lakers will begin their NBA 2024-25 campaign against Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22 at the Crypto.com arena.
