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Toward the end of the Los Angeles Lakers' campaign in 2023-24, point guard D'Angelo Russell didn't see eye-to-eye with head coach Darvin Ham. Ham has since been let go from that position and has been replaced by JJ Redick, whose coaching prowess is still untested.
Despite Redick's inexperience, Russell has some positive things to say about his team's newest head coach. During Lakers Media Day, Russell was asked about how the defensive schemes feel this season compared to last.
In his response, Russell took the time to praise Redick while seemingly taking a dig at Ham.
"I think last year we didn't really have the structure defensively that we needed as a team," Russell said. "And that kinda hurt me a little bit trying to help my teammates. But like I said, JJ's trying to push structure everywhere and implement it everywhere and I think that's what we need."
Throughout last season, there was some obvious disconnect between Darvin Ham and his players. As the season wore on, the beleaguered players took subtle pot-shots at their head coach while Ham also fired back with his own comments to the media.
It was even alleged that Ham's comments about a starter underperforming was a direct shot at D'Angelo Russell. Ultimately, this back-and-forth between Ham and his players as well as the team's lack of playoff success led to the Lakers front office firing Ham and replacing him with JJ Redick.
JJ Redick and D'Angelo Russell appear to be cultivating a strong relationship
It seems like JJ Redick wasted no time in getting close with his players in preparation for his first season as the LA Lakers' head coach. He and LeBron James are already good friends and have had several chances to interact on account of them hosting a podcast together.
Aside from LeBron, Redick also seems to be developing a close bond with point guard D'Angelo Russell. According to the newly minted head coach, Russell was the player with whom he had the most interactions this past summer
Redick also seems like he wants Russell to succeed and get back to his All-Star form this coming season.
During a media session ahead of training camp, Redick stated that Russell is going to be a major piece in his game plan. In fact, Redick wants to put his point guard in a position to have the best season of his career.
"I think the thing that DLo and I have talked about a lot is just like 'let's put you in a position to have a career year.'" [28:30 mark]
Arguably, D'Angelo Russell's best season so far was in 2018-19 as a member of the Brooklyn Nets.
That year, Russell averaged 21.1 points per game on a 43.4% shooting clip (36.9% from three). He also averaged 7.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game. That season is so far, the only time that Russell was given an All-Star nod.
Fans will have to wait and see if Russell can surpass those numbers and have a career year under JJ Redick's system. However, the comments from both of them during this past Media Day should be cause for enthusiasm.
