Coach K: Redick’s Haters Don’t Make a ‘Damn Bit of Difference’ Amid Lakers Rumors | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

J.J. Redick is set to make his NBA coaching debut with the Los Angeles Lakers, and his former coach, Mike Krzyzewski, had a piece of advice for Redick on how to handle doubters.

“I don’t say anything to the haters because what they say doesn’t make a damn bit of difference,” Krzyzewski said, per Fox Sports’ John Fanta. “To think any organization would hire a head coach for glamorous reasons is ridiculous. If we worry about what people say, we’d go nuts. We should only worry internally as competitors, and he’s always only worried about himself. Look at the places he’s gone as a result. I have no doubt this will be no different.”

Redick reportedly agreed to a four-year deal with the Lakers, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, replacing former coach Darvin Ham.

Before his 15-year NBA career, Redick got his start at Duke under Krzyzewski, the legendary head coach who retired in 2022.

Redick, who has spent the years following his retirement in the media world, has been linked to the Lakers since they began their coaching search in May. After UConn coach Dan Hurley rejected Los Angeles’ offer, Redick quickly became a favorite to land the job.

It will be Redick’s first time coaching in the NBA in any capacity, but Krzyzewski is confident he is well-equipped to tackle the new challenge.

“Make no mistake about it, he can coach,” Krzyzewski said. “He wants to win so badly, but he backs it up. JJ prepared as well as anybody that I ever coached.”

Redick’s first season in Los Angeles could prove to be one of the more interesting coaching dynamics in the league. He will be leading a team headlined by 39-year-old LeBron James, who Redick hosts a weekly basketball podcast with.

Both Redick and James have high basketball IQs—showcased by their discussions on their podcast—so pairing the two could yield successful results for the Lakers.

But Los Angeles is still looking to retain James, who has a player option this offseason and can become a free agent if he chooses to. Perhaps hiring Redick will help the Lakers’ chances of keeping James around.