JJ Redick, Luka Doncic
JJ Redick; Luka Dončić.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick questioned his team's "professionalism" after their blowout loss to the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day
Redick told reporters the Lakers were "a terrible basketball team" after they lost 119-96 at home
Redick said the Lakers have a handful of players who "don't care enough" and "don't want to make that choice"
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick slammed his team's "professionalism" after their blowout loss to the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day.
After the 119-96 loss, Redick looked frustrated as he told reporters the Lakers "don't care enough right now." "And that's the part that bothers you a lot," Redick said.
He added, "We don't care enough to do the things that are necessary. We don't care enough to be professional."
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
Redick said the lack of effort and execution from his players "started legitimately right away" in their loss on Christmas, and that despite an encouraging 15-4 start to the season, the Lakers "don't care enough" and "don't have it right now."
"The two words of the day were effort and execution," Redick explained. "And I feel like when we've done both of those things at a high level, we've been a good basketball team. When we haven't, we're a terrible basketball team. And tonight we were a terrible basketball team."
When asked if it was a matter of not having enough practice time as a team, Redick said that wasn't the problem. "It goes back to what I said the other night. Its a matter of making the choice, and too often we have guys that don't want to make that choice."
Lakers star Luka Dončić agreed with Redick's assessment when he was asked about his coach's comments after the loss.
"We've just got to talk about it," Dončić, 26, said. "I know JJ said it's going to be uncomfortable, as it should be."
The Lakers never led the Rockets in their Christmas Day matchup, and Los Angeles trailed by double digits for the entire second half.
Redick said players should prepare for an "uncomfortable" practice when they meet again. "It's going to be uncomfortable. The meeting is going to be uncomfortable. I'm not doing another 53 games like this."