Why Lakers coach JJ Redick said ‘everybody wants to play us,’ and he’s not wrong

The Lakers are wounded.

They’re ravaged by injuries and playing without their top two scorers. They’re weak and vulnerable as they limp toward the finish line of the regular season.

And now, the rest of the Western Conference smells blood in the water.

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When Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters that “everybody wants to play us,” he wasn’t posturing or trying to light a fire under his team.

When Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters that “everybody wants to play us,” he wasn’t posturing. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

He was stating out loud what everyone from the outside could clearly see. The Lakers, a rising force in the standings just a few weeks ago, have now become an exposed nerve.

“Let’s get that out there, like, everybody wants to play us,” Redick said Friday. “There’s probably teams in positions that can start looking forward to potential second-round matchups as well. You’ve seen some of those teams rest their entire lineups basically. We can’t be concerned with all that.”

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After a dominant March, the Lakers looked like the team in the West that nobody wanted to face. Led by Luka Doncic playing at an MVP level, and Austin Reaves thriving as the secondary scoring option, the Lakers were firing on all cylinders.

They had rhythm, balance and multiple ways to beat you. They weren’t just beating teams, they were dictating everything.

Now, they’re asking LeBron James, at 41 years old, to rewind time and become the engine, the initiator and the closer for the Lakers Getty Images

Then everything unraveled.

During a blowout loss in Oklahoma City, Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain and Reaves a Grade 2 oblique tear. With the snap of Thanos’ fingers, nearly 60 points per night disappeared from the Lakers’ rotation. 

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Now, they’re asking LeBron James, at 41 years old, to rewind time and become the engine, the initiator and the closer for the Lakers. To carry the team on his back as they drag toward the checkered flag.

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-lakers-coach-jj-redick-221426104.html

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Publish date : 2026-04-11 22:14:00

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