LA Lakers coach JJ Redick has led the Lakers to a 6-2 start in the league. While his leadership has earned him praise, LeBron James’ former teammate Richard Jefferson took a sarcastic jab at Redick’s legacy.The ESPN analyst on Tuesday on the “Road Trippin’ Show,” was asked about his take on Coach Reddick being an early contender for Coach of the Year. Jefferson jokingly responded that he is on a mission to downplay his contributions as the Lakers are accumulating wins and their star players are playing well.“I’m going to do anything I can to discredit JJ [Redick] at any opportunity,” Jefferson said. [Start from [8:49]. “I will do anything to discredit his contributions to the Lakers. I think this is all team-based, player-based. I think nothing that JJ has ever done has contributed to them winning.”JJ Redick in his rookie season stamped his mark, making major changes. Under him, their offense became more movement-based and less isolation-heavy. Additionally, the Lakers increased their ball movement and cut more off screens.He led the Lakers to clinch the 3rd with a 50-32 record. While the playoffs ended in a 1-4 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves, his efforts were praised as he led the Lakers to their first 50-win season since their title-winning 2019/2020 season.Redick in the 2025/26 season has seen the Lakers off to a good start. He spoke after the Lakers’ 123-115 road win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.“I’m excited about this group and what we could potentially be. I’m excited about the group, and his teammates loved it. The bench was awesome tonight, our huddles were awesome. Just again, expecting that we’re going to win. I thought our guys had that all night.”In the absence of the injured duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, center Deandre Ayton stepped up. Ayton finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and two assists.Deandre Ayton praises coach JJ Redick after Trail Blazers winDeandre Ayton gave coach JJ Redick his flowers after the Lakers won their fourth consecutive game against Portland on Monday.“JJ has been in this game for a while, he’s won this game for a while. So I think anything he say, we can trust it, and he’s proven that point a few times. So it becomes a thing, you know, in our routine just to approach the game the right way, with some professionalism as well.”Difficult tests await Coach JJ Redick and the Lakers. Next is a home game against the high-flying San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.