Doc Rivers: “JJ Redick: Nothing But Love” Reacts to Lakers HC Rumours Despite Feud

This season, ESPN commentator JJ Redick hasn’t held back when criticising his former head coach Doc Rivers, but Rivers doesn’t want to get into a fight with him.

In the midst of speculation that Redick is vying for the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching position, Rivers, who is currently the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, stated he “really hopes” he is hired as head coach during an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show. He also expressed “nothing but love for JJ”.

After taking over the Bucks halfway through the season, Redick—who had played for Rivers while they were with the Los Angeles Clippers—went on a furious tirade in February against his old coach for failing to accept responsibility for the team’s early troubles.

Redick remarked, “I’ve seen the trend for years.” It’s a trend to find reasons for everything. We understand, Doc. It is difficult to take over a squad in the middle of the season. Similar to how difficult it is for a player to be traded in the middle of the season. We comprehend. It’s always an excuse, though. It’s like continuously putting your squad under fire.”

In an Old Man and the Three podcast episode, Redick went so far as to reiterate his remarks.

“Don’t regret what I said,” Redick remarked. It seems honest to me. I apologise for the delivery. I regret that sometimes I think you can become emotional in certain situations.”

Rivers clarified that he thought Redick’s animosity towards him was a result of his displeasure with the way he was treated near the end of his Clippers career and that it would all work itself out. He went on to say that he hopes Redick is hired as a head coach so he can learn more about the responsibilities of that role.

“Personally, I really hope he gets the job because then he’ll understand, some of the things that he has a problem with me and other coaches that you hear on his podcast, he’ll realise it’s not as easy as you think, and some of these decisions that you have to make are brutal,” Rivers stated.