Redick was named the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. Shaquille O’Neal made headlines last week by suggesting that current NBA players might have trouble respecting a new coach like Los Angeles Lakers coach J.J Redick.
However, Stephen A. Smith responded to this suggestion by answering this. to the former NBA great.
What did Shaq say?
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most famous figures in basketball and his opinion always carries weight.
“He has the respect of LeBron, but what about the other players? That’s where he has to compete “, he said. Shaq. .”Personally, I don’t think I could have played for someone who was in competition years ago. Just four or five years ago if I didn’t respect my coach, it was difficult to give 100% my effort. ” I’m not trying to disparage JJ, but it’s surprising that someone. someone with no coaching experience got the job and not someone like Sam Cassell, who has been on the bench for 15 years. “
How did Stephen A. Smith respond?
Redick’s debut in the position has also been complicated by an off-the-court scandal that has not helped alleviate concerns about his leadership.
This week, Stephen A. Smith responded to Shaq’s comments “Don’t lie,” Smith said without hesitation. You don’t, big boy, you know better than this. “Smith did not stop there, offering a strong defense of Redick.
“JJ Redick is one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. He’s also an NBA veteran with 15 years of experience. And while I don’t like the way he took the Lakers job , clearly influenced by LeBron James, if you know JJ Redick, you know he has a deep knowledge of basketball. “It will be interesting to see how his training affects the players, but one thing is certain: they have no doubt about his knowledge and I believe that he will succeed.
