News - JJ Redick Criticizes Lakers for Lackluster Effort in Loss to Spurs

In a candid and critical post-game analysis, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick didn't mince words regarding his team's underwhelming performance during their 136-108 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Despite the absence of pivotal players like LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Luka Doncic, Redick refused to pin the blame for the loss solely on the roster's injury-driven depletion. Redick criticized the participating players, highlighting their lack of intent and execution, calling it an unacceptable effort rather than an injury-induced defeat. 'We got blitzed from the beginning,' said Redick, pointing out that the defense was missing from tip-off. The Lakers were outpaced by a surging Spurs team from the start, allowing San Antonio to seize control early and firmly. The Lakers faced the challenge of playing back-to-back games, and missing key figures further strained their lineup against the Spurs’ offensive barrage. However, Redick focused on the intent displayed—or lack thereof—by those who did play. 'Zero intent defensively and zero execution,' Redick lamented. With the season's defensive challenges compounded by this defeat, Redick’s frustrations were underscored by Spurs’ center Victor Wembanyama’s dominant performance. Wembanyama delivered a standout 25 points in under eight minutes, and ended with a game-high 40 points from just 26 minutes of action. Redick’s frank comments reflected a deeper concern about the team culture and mindset, suggesting that buy-in and effort were as much to blame as execution. The Lakers’ defensive struggles have been a recurring setback this season, raising questions about the team's commitment to finding a defensive identity. The first-year coach didn’t hold back on his evaluation, highlighting the need for improvement. 'We suck at defense,' Redick bluntly put it, pointing to a series of missed defensive opportunities. This isn't the first time Redick has publicly acknowledged defensive issues, reinforcing that ongoing struggles have plagued the team's journey this season. While injuries remain a factor, the spotlight remains firmly on the need for a fundamental shift in player mindset and execution.