Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
The Los Angeles Lakers have dropped three straight games, including a 119-96 loss to the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day in which they were outplayed on both ends of the floor. The Rockets took control early and never relinquished the lead, extending Los Angeles’ skid and raising concerns about the team’s effort and consistency.
Amen Thompson led Houston with 26 points, and Kevin Durant added 25 points and eight assists, while Alperen Sengun posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. For the Lakers, Luka Doncic led the team with 25 points, and LeBron James added 18 points, but Los Angeles struggled to keep pace in the second half as Houston pulled away. Austin Reaves exited the game at halftime with left calf soreness and did not return, compounding the Lakers’ difficulties.
After the game, a visibly frustrated head coach JJ Redick addressed the media with a blunt assessment of his team’s performance.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
Redick did not hold back, directly critiquing the Lakers’ effort and professionalism (via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin).
“We don’t care enough,” Redick said. “And that’s the part that bothers you a lot. We don’t care enough to do the things that are necessary. We don’t care enough to be a professional.”
However, Redick’s remarks drew a strong reaction from ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, who fired back at Redick’s critique, challenging the coach’s public handling of the team.
“Everybody find it cute and funny when he goes on his rants and publicly calls out his team, but JJ Redick gotta do better as well,” Perkins said on “Get Up.” “It’s always everybody else’s fault but not JJ Redick’s. That’s a problem for me. … Why don’t they care? Why are they not playing hard? Why are they not trying to compete? … You’re the coach, that’s a reflection of you.”
Redick and Perkins, a former NBA player who won the 2008 NBA title with the Boston Celtics, were colleagues at ESPN before Redick transitioned to coaching the Lakers. Redick’s vocal displeasure with the team’s effort has been a recurring theme this season, with multiple postgame comments emphasizing the need for higher energy, accountability and execution from his roster.
The Lakers will return to the floor to face the Sacramento Kings at 9:30 p.m. ET Sunday, the second game of a five-game homestand in Los Angeles, seeking a response and an end to their losing streak.