JJ Redick emphasizes Lakers' need to stay organized to help Anthony Davis on both ends of the floor

JJ Redick outlined the LA Lakers’ need to stay organized to make Anthony Davis’ life a tad easier on both ends of the floor this 2024-25 NBA season. The new head coach had earlier spoken about making big the team’s hub on offense, and he delved a notch deeper in an interview with ESPN after the team’s press conference ahead of their much-anticipated Sep. 30 media day.

Speaking to Steve Mason, Ramona Shelburne, and Jorge Sedano on ESPN LA, Redick explained:

“We have to be organized defensively so he doesn’t have to do everything, we are organized offensively so we don’t go through six-minute lapses with him not touching the ball. When I say Hub, it may be in the post, isolation, spilt action, or trail position. He’s going to get the ball.”

Earlier, in the Lakers presser, Redick spoke about “empowering” Davis — whether it meant he wanted to be an MVP candidate or on the All-NBA list. Quite simply, the coach believed that Anthony Davis was a vital cog in their success and would have all the support that was needed.

JJ Redick addresses backup center issues for LA behind Anthony Davis

After reports of the Lakers looking for a “big bruising center” behind Anthony Davis, JJ Redick was asked about having a “traditional center” as a backup for their All-Star big. To this, Redick answered:

“When you say traditional center what does that mean?” Redick said in a press conference on Wednesday. “Is Brook Lopez a traditional center though? … More of the size, I think we have not only one of the best players in the world but one of the most unique players in the world in Anthony Davis because there’s very few people that can do the things that he can do at his size, just in terms of his ball-handling, his skill level offensively and certainly the fact that he’s one of the best defensive players in the world.

The Lakers have Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood in their ranks as bigs with a fair share of experience, but neither can dish out the level of output Davis can.

Much of LA’s success depends on how Anthony Davis fares and whether he can remain as healthy as he did last season. While LeBron James continues to be the offensive powerhouse, the onus is on their two-way big who and his production.