The Los Angeles Lakers made a splash by hiring JJ Redick to be their next head coach, and general manager Rob Pelinka said the decision came as the team searched for someone who would break the mold of a traditional NBA coach.
During Redick's introductory press conference on Monday, Pelinka said it was "really important for us to see if we could do something a little bit different" during the coaching search and that he didn't want Los Angeles to be caught in "a sea of sameness," per the Associated Press' Greg Beacham.
The Lakers certainly got something "different" in the 40-year-old Redick, who takes over as head coach with no previous coaching experience in the league.
Redick comes into Los Angeles with no previous coaching experience—either as an assistant or head coach—joining the likes of Jason Kidd, Mark Jackson, Doc Rivers and Larry Bird.
The 15-year NBA veteran was initially seen as a candidate for the job but moved into a secondary option position after Los Angeles pursued UConn coach Dan Hurley, who ultimately turned down a sizeable offer. After Hurley's rejection, the Lakers quickly targetted Redick and signed him to a four-year contract just over a week later.
Taking over as the Lakers' head coach—and the coach of LeBron James—comes with the standard that the team will be ready to compete for an NBA title, and Redick recognized that in his press conference.
"Sitting in this seat, I know what the expectations are," Redick said. "Lakers fans have some of the most passionate fans around the world, and the expectation is a championship. So it's my job, it's our staff's job, it's Rob's [Pelinka] job, it's all of us. To deliver a championship-caliber team. That's what I signed up for."
NBA @NBA"Sitting in this seat, I know what the expectations are... the expectation is a championship... that's what I signed up for."<br><br>- JJ Redick, new Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers <a href="">
Redick's hiring was met with a fair share of criticism and doubt given his lack of coaching experience, but Pelinka is confident in him and he's now looking to deliver in his first year with the team.
