Redick on Doc criticism final season: 'He is superb'

MILWAUKEE — As JJ Redick undergoes his first steps of the job transition from media persona to Los Angeles Lakers coach this preseason, Thursday was a reminder how his former position can affect his new one.

With the Lakers taking part in the Milwaukee Bucks, led by coach Doc Rivers, Redick was requested about his relationship together with his former coach, who he performed for from 2013 to 2017 with the LA Clippers.

Redick, working as an NBA analyst for ESPN final season, provided pointed criticism of Rivers in February throughout an look on “First Take” when the Bucks have been nonetheless struggling to discover a rhythm after Rivers changed Adrian Griffin as head coach throughout the season.

“I do not carry beef with folks,” Redick stated earlier than the sport. “And I am not going to get into the historical past of Doc and I’s relationship proper now. And I most likely will not ever. He is superb in my guide.”

Throughout the “First Take” section, Redick provided an animated rant to the digital camera.

“The development is all the time making excuses,” Redick stated on the time. “Doc, we get it, taking on a workforce in the course of a season is tough … however it’s all the time an excuse. It is all the time throwing your workforce underneath the bus … there’s by no means accountability with that man.”

Redick stated he has mirrored on that section and didn’t apologize for his message, however admitted he would have modified his supply if he may do it once more.

“After that ‘First Take’ look, there have been numerous conversations that I had with folks — each at ESPN and throughout the league — that supplied quantity of perspective whether or not I had stayed within the media or whether or not I had pursued a training job,” Redick stated Thursday. “I’ll say this once more, [I] remorse my tone in that case. I’ve owned that and I remorse my tone.”

Rivers, embarking on his twenty sixth 12 months as an NBA coach and having recorded the eighth most teaching wins in league historical past, stated that any discord between him and Redick has “been a method.” Nonetheless, he added that it isn’t unusual for a coach and considered one of his gamers to not see eye to eye.

“Coaches coach they usually pour into gamers,” Rivers stated. “They actually do. They pour in a ton of affection to gamers. And oftentimes that love is rejected. It is simply the best way it’s. Many instances since you determine to go in a special course. You’ll be able to by no means take it private. You realize you probably did the proper issues for that participant. More often than not that participant comes again later and understands it. And that is simply the best way it’s. It is normally one sided in that regard.”

The teaching carousel connections Thursday did not finish with Rivers and Redick. Darvin Ham, the coach who Redick changed in L.A., is now an assistant for the Bucks. Rivers stated that Ham has skilled the same public rift with a few of his former Lakers gamers as coaching camp has unfolded.

For example, throughout media day earlier this month, Lakers level guard D’Angelo Russell stated the workforce was “winging it” at instances final season. And there have been different feedback from gamers complimenting Redick’s structured strategy, with an implied comparability to Ham’s employees.

“There’s instances [when] there’s heartbreak for coaches,” Rivers stated. “You realize, Darvin’s coping with that a bit of bit. He sees guys make feedback now that he poured into. It isn’t proper however that is simply what occurs and it is a part of our job. We all know that going into it.”

Ham, making his first public feedback about his time with the Lakers after being fired following a 90-74 report in two seasons, centered on the optimistic from his time with the workforce.

“The state of the workforce after they employed me, up till the day they fired me, I wish to assume it improved. And that is all I care about,” Ham, who was employed by Rivers in June, instructed ESPN on Thursday. “I poured myself, my coronary heart and soul, into that workforce making an attempt to enhance it from the place it was — 33-49. And to get to the Western Convention finals in a single 12 months, have guys profit from it financially. To have that pleasure going into that subsequent 12 months, get derailed by accidents, nonetheless handle to win the in-season event and get to the playoffs, I thank God on daily basis.

“Once more, I am utterly grateful. I want that franchise nothing however the most effective. I am not imply or offended or bitter about something. Some folks have sure opinions and people are opinions, however in the event you actually take a look at the details, there’s not a lot for me personally I’ve to say. So, that is it.”