NFL Legend Finally Sold on JJ Redick’s Coaching Genius After Lakers Overcome Adversity With Gutsy Win

NFL legend Shannon Sharpe showered praise on LA Lakers coach JJ Redick after the last game win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Redick led his team without LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to the 4th consecutive win of the season.

Sharpe, who had previously criticized Redick during last season's playoffs, gave flowers to the Lakers coach after pulling off an unlikely win with a backup lineup.

"JJ Redick can coach. I mean, you can tell how thorough he was like being around him and talking basketball," Sharpe said. "He's very, very, very well prepared." (Timestamp 1:39:40)

"I've been very very impressed with uh JJ. A guy that I don't think he's had any previous coaching experience...and to step in and to coach, but you know, here's a guy that played the game. I think the thing is, you respect him because you know he knows what he's talking about. You know he's thorough."

After 8 games, the Lakers are sitting as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference with a 2-6 record. One of the most impressive parts of this season has been their 4-0 record in road games. The Lakers will expect a bigger and better season when all three of their superstars return to the lineup.

JJ Redick reveals how the backup Lakers lineup unleashed its potential against Blazers

The Lakers' win against the Blazers wouldn't have been a big one if their Big 3 were in the lineup. It was perhaps what the team achieved without any of their stars in the lineup that mostly impressed coach JJ Redick.

After the game, Redick spoke to Spectrum SportsNet, expressing his excitement about the group. The Lakers' coach also added that the accountability factor played a big part in his team coming out with a win.

"I would say I've told the team this a number of times throughout the preseason and early in the season: the best teams are always going to be player-led," Redick said.

"The guys are holding each other accountable to that, and as a coaching staff, you have to get buy-in to that, and our guys are bought in. We talk about it as a group all the time, you can't win in this league unless you play hard. It's just impossible now. These guys have just been awesome for the last seven games."

JJ Redick's team will have a bigger challenge in their next game. They will face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.