You don’t must marvel what Lakers coach JJ Redick really thinks of Luka Doncic. Whenever you rent a head coach who used to host a podcast, and when that podcast hosted Doncic on a number of events, the solutions are already in entrance of you.
Redick’s relationship with Doncic, just like the one he cast with Dorian Finney-Smith, started within the last months of his NBA profession when New Orleans traded him to the Mavericks. Instantly, it was clear that the 2 fashioned a bond.
On a podcast with Andre Iguodala, Redick praised Doncic for being low upkeep within the locker room the identical means Stephen Curry is for the Golden State Warriors.
“The one man that I actually performed with that’s on that degree of simply being one of many guys and doesn’t actually ask for particular remedy was Luka this season,” Redick mentioned on the podcast. “Luka’s particular. He’s one of many guys. Clearly basketball-wise, he’s tremendous particular. However as a dude, he’s nice.”
Within the shadows, folks across the NBA are nonetheless shocked by the commerce that gifted the Lakers their subsequent famous person.
“The Mavericks can win the title this 12 months, and so they nonetheless acquired murdered on this commerce,” one NBA agent advised The Instances.
Mavericks teammates JJ Redick, left, and Luka Doncic, proper, slap arms throughout a recreation on April 21, 2021, in Dallas.
(Glenn James / NBAE through Getty Photos)
And in the event you dig into the Redick podcast archives, it’s clear that the Lakers coach thinks extremely extremely of his new star.
In a 2022 look on his present, Redick described Doncic as an individual with innocence, sarcasm, humility and honesty earlier than telling Doncic he didn’t get the prospect to play with him whereas he was nonetheless in his bodily prime.
In the course of the present, Doncic talked about how he was stunned on the ease at which he grew to become a dominant scorer within the NBA, that he thought his finest talent was really passing. He additionally talked concerning the quantity of freedom he’s had from coaches previously, and that if he ever performed for somebody who compelled him into extra construction, “that’s going to be an issue then” for the remainder of the NBA.
On that episode, he additionally mentioned he didn’t develop up watching quite a lot of NBA basketball in Slovenia, although one participant at all times held his curiosity: LeBron James.
On a 2024 episode of “Thoughts the Recreation,” the present James and Redick hosted collectively, the 2 marveled at Doncic’s skill to carve aside defenses, principally coming to the identical conclusion.
“I don’t suppose there’s a great way to protect Luka Doncic in a decide and roll,” Redick mentioned. “…With spacing, with taking pictures, there’s simply no good reply.”
Doncic, who doesn’t precisely do tons of prolonged interviews, sat for a second time on Redick’s podcast shortly after he scored 73 factors final season in opposition to Atlanta.
“I believe I’ve acquired a pair strikes in me,” Doncic advised Redick with a smile.
Redick mentioned he was jealous of Doncic as a result of he has “the present.” Doncic tried to elucidate his thought course of, but in addition got here throughout as somebody with simply the pure skill to learn the sport.
He spoke with Redick about how having a participant like Kyrie Irving has helped ease the offensive burden.
“It’s means simpler,” Doncic mentioned.
Now, he’ll have James and Austin Reaves to assist with the ball-handling.
And, Doncic can have Redick.
All through the 2 episodes, it was straightforward to see the benefit the 2 have within the relationship for one another, Redick clearly in admiration for a way Doncic performs the sport and Doncic clearly comfy sufficient to respect — and needle — his former teammate, teasing him about his first NBA dunk and the way he couldn’t run anymore as soon as he acquired to Dallas.
There’s no guessing about any of that. And with a lot change heading for the Lakers group, that’s a superb place to begin.