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Los Angeles Lakers entered their second season under head coach JJ Redick with hopes of improving upon last year's early playoff exit.
With just over a third of the NBA season now complete, the Lakers have had some ups and downs this year. After a 15-4 start, the Lakers have struggled with inconsistency. The team didn't live up to Redick's expectations in Thursday's prime-time game.
The Houston Rockets dominated the Lakers en route to a 119-96 victory on Christmas Day. Redick muted after Los Angeles lost its third straight game, calling his team's effort and professionalism into question.
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Former Bearcat and NBA player Kenyon Martin greets the crowd during a first-half stoppage of the game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati on December 14, 2024. (Aaron Doster/Imagn Images)
“We don’t care much about that right now,” Redick said. “And this is what worries you very much. We don't care enough to do what needs to be done. We don’t care enough about being professional.” This assessment drew a sharp reaction from former NBA player Kenyon Martin.
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“So he said what are the words of the day? Is this a damn kindergarten class where you write the words of the day on the damn chalkboard? What are we talking about here? Martin asked in the episode “Gila Arena”
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick calls the play in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2025 in Los Angeles. (Kathleen Mulcahy/Getty Images)
“Words of the day – effort and execution.” I saw this when I took my son to kindergarten two years ago. When you walked in, the word of the day was written on the door. You must tell the teacher the word of the day before entering the classroom. Is this what we're doing here? We are professional athletes making $30, 40, or 50 million dollars a year. That's what we do here.”
Martin then came up with a theory about how Redick was treated in the Lakers locker room.
“JJ, I don’t know if you know this or not, bro. These guys don't respect you. You are their equal. Just because you have the title of head coach, they don’t look at you as such.” Redick last appeared in an NBA game in 2021 as a Dallas Mavericks.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacts as his team trails the Minnesota Timberwolves late in the fourth quarter during Game 4 of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center in Minneapolis. (Matt Blewett/Imagn Images)
From Martin's perspective, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, LeBron James, is considered more of a leader than a head coach.
“And the main (culprit) is the guy you just got a podcast with. It helped you get the job, man. Let’s call a spade a spade,” he said. “Once you turn to crying, all possessions of the rest with Luka, Austin Reeves and LeBron one time. Once you've addressed it once, if they respect you, they'll do everything they can to try to change it because you're a new voice. And you put in some effort when you played, JJ Redick. You're done. You played hard every time you stepped on the floor. People respected that about you.”
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Redick also promised to practice Saturday before the team's game on Sunday. Sacramento Kings “uncomfortable” for the Lakers.
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