Lakers fans are not at all pleased with their teams’ current state. With a head coach coming in with 0 years of experience and Bronny James’ nepotism allegation, the team finds itself in turmoil. And as if all this wasn’t enough, they even lost their championship ties with the Celtics at 18-17. Not only fans, but even Shaquille O’Neal is not content with his ex-team’s performance. Appearing on his ‘The Big Podcast’, Shaq revealed his mixed emotions on the Celtics’ 2024 NBA championship win.
The 15x All-Star mentioned he was initially happy for Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and the Boston Celtics. However, this happiness was short-lived once he realized the Celtics beat the Lakers in the number of championships.
“But then I’m unhappy because I didn’t know they were so close in championships and now they are leading…” he said on the podcast. Shaq’s co-host Adam Lefkoe tried comforting him by mentioning the 2023-24 In-season tournament win for the Lakers, but that did not cheer him up.
“That (the 18-17 championship score) pisses me off. So now JJ Redick has work to do… Now I’m mad…” he added. And this is despite the fact that Shaquille O’Neal is himself not completely sure of Redick as the new coach. Earlier in the podcast, he stated it looks crazy that a guy with no experience can overshadow a guy like Sam Cassel, who has been in the league for 15 years. Although Shaq stated he was happy for Redick, he added he could have played for a guy who he played against 4-5 years ago.
But the 15x All-Star still entrusting Redick with the responsibility of leveling up with the Celtics in championships shows some sense of faith. It is worth mentioning the Lakers and Celtics rivalry is decades old.
While the Lakers dominated the league during the inception phase of the NBA, the Celtics took over the league in the 60s.
The team won every single season in the ’60s except for season 1967. However, the rivalry reached its peak with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, which transformed the NBA itself.
USA Today via Reuters
And although it subsided with the two stars retiring, the sparks re-ignited in the 2008-2010 phase. While Celtics defeated Lakers in the 2008 NBA championship, Lakers claimed 2009 and took revenge in the NBA Finals of 2010.
The last win for the Lakers came in 2020, which leveled the two teams at 17-17. And now, it’s Redick who will helm Lakers championship aspirations and try leveling the score to 18-18 next season.
JJ Redick’s roadmap for the Lakers for the upcoming season
As per the reports, Redick’s plan of action is to optimize the team with whatever time LeBron James has on the team. However, the reported central figure for the new head coach will be Anthony Davis. According to Shams Charania, Sam Amick, and Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Redick aims to modernize the team’s offensive gameplay. And doing so, the primary focus will be on AD in critical moments for the team.
The report states this strategy is aimed at reducing the burden from Bron, so that he can play more freely. Meanwhile, the King himself seems to be compromising with personal interests for the team’s greater ambitions.
As per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Bron’s agent Rich Paul has mentioned that James is opting out with LA. But he will return with a pay cut so that the Lakers can aim at improving the roster.
As per the reports, with Bron’s help, the franchise can now consider landing Klay Thompson on the team.
The 5x All-Star is on the verge of entering free agency, ending his tenure with the Warriors.
And with Dalton Knetch already on the team, the Lakers can strengthen their weakened area of shooting.
Once everything falls into place, it will be on Redick to guide the team to where Shaquille O’Neal expects him to — 18th championship win.
