Head Coach JJ Redick Discussion: Spazzing Out

I like JJ and think he did a lot of good things this season. I have a question about this game that I've seen other people reference elsewhere, but I haven't seen an answer to.

In the 4th Q, from about 6 minutes on, Rui had 9 pts & 2 rebs. He shot 3-4 including 2-2 from 3. JJ stuck with the lineup of Smart, Reaves, Rui, LeBron, and Hayes the entire rest of the way, until 12 seconds to go.

With 12 seconds left and the Lakers down by 3 but have the ball, why did JJ then pull Rui, the best playoff 3P% shooter in NBA playoff history, and put in Maxi Kleber who had played 0 minutes all game?

I understand that the play was for Austin, and Maxi screened for him, but Maxi was screening Shai far away from where the play ended up, which Rui could have done and then popped out if the play for Austin went bad, and then Rui would be there for the 3. I also would have just preferred the play be for a Rui 3, given his history, his shooting this series and this game esp in the 4th. Anyway, I can understand a play for Austin, but I don't understand Rui not being out there at all. Is there any good rationale for this, or was it just a terrible decision?

 

Haven't watched the game yet but that decision looks awful in isolation. If nothing else, Rui's gravity would justify him being on the court.
I'll watch it and comeback to confirm

 

Because Maxi is the best screener on the team by far and he screened for Reaves and got a completely open 3, it rimmed out. If it goes in, JJ is getting props.

Rui, for as good of a 3pt shooter as he is, isn't a movement shooter and doesn't have a quick release. At the end of the day, we got exactly the shot we wanted, it was a great look, it just didn't go down.

 

I'm still mixed on JJ but his coaching performance was way better than it was last playoffs. We upset Houston and did as good a job on skinny soften as you can do.

Ultimately OKC had too much talent.

That last play was a head scratcher though.

 

this answers why they went back in the game and how that convo with Bron about being 3rd banana came about.

 

This is a failure of the organization, and Walter better correct this.

Yes, Kobe would have done this. And Kobe would have been wrong. He and Antoni destroyed the rest of his career after age 34 due to this line of thinking and decision making.

 

Agree on both accounts. Depth helps us win more games and not lose steam in a playoff shoot out. While better defense over the season doesn’t mean we’re chasing the dragon in March and can get to the playoffs healthy.

It’s a good sign that JJ understands what the team needs.

Have to give props to all parties with how they managed the Lebron situation. Hopefully his ego can take more of the same for another chance at a ring. There isn’t a contending team out there where it makes sense to pay him 30m+ and let him be the top option.

 

Lakers Press Conference: Rob Pelinka & JJ Redick

 

Lakers Rob Pelinka & JJ Redick Live Press Conference Reaction!

 

Better job overall this year. Needs to improve in some areas, but if he does, I can see JJ becoming a top 5-10 head coach. Real potential. I thought he needed to be fire earlier in the year, but he really proved me wrong. Glad he did. Tired of going through the coaching carousel.