The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a difficult season in which they placed eighth in the NBA Western Conference with a 47-35 record. The Denver Nuggets soon put D’Angelo Russell‘s team’s ambitions of winning a title to rest as they swept them 4-0 in the playoffs.
Following the sad end, the Lakers made some important changes. They let go of head coach Darvin Ham and hired JJ Redick, a former NBA player with no coaching experience.
Russell didn’t hold back in his criticism of the Lakers’ former coach during Monday’s media day. He emphasized the distinctions between Redick and Ham, saying that the new head coach has “more structure.”
D’Angelo Russell said the Lakers have been kinda “winging it” since his return to the organization and he mentioned more structure being around this summer.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) September 30, 2024
Redick has brought in different coaches and staff members to focus on certain duties, something the star point guard thought was absent during Ham’s stint. In what appeared like another swipe at Ham, Russell highlighted his lack of trust in certain coaches last season, adding that the team also lacked a “defensive structure.”
D’Angelo Russell’s Take on Darvin Ham
Before the 2022–2023 season, Russell was traded to the Lakers after playing for three different teams. Russell discussed his preseason approach during the Lakers’ media day. He said : “For me, just keeping that maturity and that professionalism throughout the year, no matter the ups and downs. Holding myself more accountable on the defensive end. Obviously, I know I’m capable. But when you get subbed out of the game for offensive-defensive possession, that shows where your trust is with your coach and your ability,”.
“So for me, just trying to gain that trust with the coach defensively. And consistently, I’m going to show up every day, practice game preseason, whatever, knowing that coach has that trust in me as well,”
Redick recently announced the starting lineup for the Lakers in the upcoming campaign. On October 5, the Lakers will play their first game of the season against the Denver Nuggets.
