Skip Bayless advises LeBron James to preserve friendship with JJ Redick before ‘scapegoating’ (Image Sources: Mind The Game YT, All The Smoke IG)
Skip Bayless has concerns about LeBron James and the LA Lakers’ equation with new coach JJ Redick after the team dropped to 10-7 on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers suffered another damning loss by a 127-100 margin three days after getting mauled by the Denver Nuggets 127-102 at home.
The Lakers are on a three-game losing streak for the second time this season after an impressive six-game winning stretch. The defeats against Denver and Phoenix were a combination of the team being outmatched, out-hustled and outcoached. After the latest loss, Bayless advised James to preserve his friendship with Redick.
“Right now the Lakers aren’t responding to JJ Redick’s coaching,” Bayless said. “Maybe he and LeBron should just go back to doing the podcast together so they can remain friends. Remember, the “GOAT” always needs a scapegoat.”
Bayless referred to the bond James and Redick developed months before their relationship turned into a player-coach equation. The duo started a podcast called “Mind The Game,” which catered to audiences keenly interested in the Xs and Os side of basketball over the common trends of takes and opinions.
They stopped the collaboration prematurely after the Lakers hired Redick in June as their new coach. Since then, there have been plenty of questions about how Redick would have earned James and the players’ respect, but he’s seemingly had that initially in his young career.
However, Bayless thinks otherwise after the team’s lackluster efforts in the last two losses. He’s always believed that James “scapegoats” his peers when his teams fail, and Redick could be another pawn who could face the brunt of criticism for LA’s failure.
LeBron James seemingly on the same page as JJ Redick despite multiple blowout losses
Despite Skip Bayless’ initial thoughts on JJ Redick potentially losing the Lakers’ locker room led by LeBron James, that doesn’t seem to be the case. The Lakers continue to respect Redick’s accountability and direct approach. James and Redick were seemingly on the same page about the team’s process-orientated approach and scheme-related issues.
Redick suggested the team will reconsider their defensive strategies against the league’s better offensive teams.
“Look, we may have to just look at some things defensively, particularly against really good teams about what our overall strategies are,” he said. “They [Suns] kind of got whatever they wanted.”
JJ Redick also clarified that his players didn’t lack the effort, unlike the loss to Denver, but chalked it off to just a “tough” night for LA.
On the other hand, LeBron James said the schemes must be executed to a tee, regardless of what they are.
“Whatever our scheme is for the game, we gotta go out and execute it,” he said.
“We are a process-oriented team and we understand that’s not gonna happen overnight,” James added.
JJ Redick’s team has hit a rocky stretch in the past earlier this season. The Lakers bounced back with a six-game winning streak despite missing multiple key players because of injury. It will be intriguing to see what Redick plans for LeBron James and Co. after another cold streak.
