"Went to Duke, had a lot of pressure his entire career" - Paul Geroge's initial reaction to JJ Redick becoming Lakers' coach

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Despite concerns about JJ Redick's lack of coaching experience and his ability to handle the intense pressure of leading the LA Lakers, Paul George expressed confidence in the former's capabilities. Speaking on his podcast, the 9-time All-Star mentioned how Redick has been involved in high-pressure situations since his college days at Duke, implying that this could be just another opportunity for JJ to defy the odds.

"The Lakers' job is a tough job in my opinion. They're expected to win and hold everyone to a higher standard so they're not gonna treat him like a first-year, first coaching experience head coach. It's like no, you're expected to come here and win, and that's it," George said. "But you know JJ went to Duke, had a lot of pressure his entire career, and defied a lot of odds. I think he's up for the challenge."

The Nuggets' star is also rooting for Redick

Hearing PG13's sentiment, his guest DeAndre Jordan also voiced his support for Redick. Although the 2023 NBA Champ admitted that there's no 'perfect timing' for anyone to enter the coaching realm and acknowledged how JJ will face media scrutiny for every rough patch and unsuccessful tactic, he remained determined to see his former teammate succeed, except when the Purple and Gold face the Denver Nuggets next season.

"I do believe JJ is a smart guy, he knows the game, he's knowledgeable, and knows how to communicate with different players with different backgrounds and skill sets," Jordan added. "I'm rooting for JJ. I hope he does well."

Darvin Ham's journey as the Lakers' head coach is a story Redick should remember. Ham was praised for making the most of the team's new additions after Russell Westbrook's trade midway through the 2022-23 season and steering the Lakers to become the fourth-best defensive team post-All-Star break and reach the conference finals.

However, he faced just as much criticism for some poor rotation and tactical decisions despite several key rotation players being injured. Over time, his influence within the team weakened. Simply put, the Lakers' fanbase can turn against you overnight. For JJ to have a strong presence on the bench, he must voice his opinions and stick firmly to them. PG13 recognized this and gave Redick a prompt heads-up.

"That's pressure," George concluded. "You saw first time with Darvin Ham coaching and how things quickly went left, and the Lakers fans jumped on him quick."

The Lakers'  job is a different type of pressure 

Being the head coach of the Lakers is unlike any challenge Redick has faced before. Not only does he need to maintain a strong presence in the locker room and stay composed in front of the media, but he also needs to build a solid coaching reputation, especially with people speculating he could be the next Pat Riley.

Along with these tasks, he must lead the Lakers to a championship, as anything less is considered a disappointment for such a storied franchise. Until JJ Redick proves to be a miracle worker, the Lakers must assemble a roster that helps him attain those lofty expectations in his first year.