JJ Redick Says Lakers HAVE NO IDENTITY, Part 2: Major Roster Problems
After Tuesday’s loss to Detroit, JJ Redick noted that the Lakers have an identity problem. In the sense that they don’t really have an identity.
For Thursday’s show, we talked about part of that equation, namely leadership. The team is in a transition from a LeBron-voiced squad to one where Luka Dončić is both the face and the leader, and unquestionably the team’s best player. But the styles are very different, and both elevating Luka and having LeBron step back are muddling things.
But another part of the lack of identity?
Roster.
The Lakers just aren’t built to effectively maximize Luka on either side of the ball, which inherently makes it harder to build a culture, or identity, or discernable style of play. So is that something that can be fixed? How did we get here?
To say the least, Rob Pelinka has work to do.
And so does JJ Redick, broadly, and Friday against Memphis because the team is again shorthanded.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are down more guys against the Grizz.
SEGMENT 2: How much does roster construction hinder building an identity?
SEGMENT 3: What can be done?
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38 Comments
heres reality, you wont win with luka… hes james harden 2.0 oh 35 10 8 oh 50 points, he doesnt get people involved when it matters… now you see why traded him??? now see the reason davis is gone too always hurt…. so you get excited about lukas stats and against the better teams when he doesnt get calls he wants he pouts and gives up…… keep watching, open your eyes
The title of this season for us is: " THE WAITING ROOM "
Delton konnect needs to start, LeBron need to come off bench
Teams take on The HC’s Identity and I believe We had an Identity Pre-LBJ Return; JJ is an Asshole that is Very Prepared & Very Serious!!!
The Team is embracing LBJ’s Identity/Mentality since He Returned; He is Extremely Hard Working but, Unserious & Friendly with The Opponent, He can Turn Competitive Switch On/Off when He chooses. Can’t speak to LBJ’s time in CLE/MIA but, LBJ had this Mentality in 19/20 but, We had a Team Full of Winning Vets and LBJ was still a Super Human Player @ that Time so, He would have Super Human Games!!!
Imagine not taking preseason serious then complaining that the team doesn’t have an identity mid season
Sadly… JJ Laying down the law to LBJ is something you know can't happen.
The Clutch cabal are already trashing the team and players. 4 more months and we'll be free of the narcissistic cancer.
He could of use Chris manon dalton laravia vando or thiero before they say thiero injured thiero haven't been playing much so not sure why he injured I like manon defense and he can shoot . Dalton might not be the best defense but he can shoot vando
I can't help but wonder how secure Pelinka and JJ are. Might be some housecleaning coming this off-season.
The Lakers identity is the flawed roster Rob Pelinka put together.
Can GM's be traded?
Thank you
Austin Reaves was averaging 32.6% for 3-pointers but off 7.9 attempts per game after 12 games played. The Lakers have an identity unsuccessful high volume 3-point shooter from 2 of the 3 core players.
Lakers identity is selecting "Offense 1st Mentality Players" during veteran free agency but not at the 2-Guard position because that would take playing time from Austin Reaves.
2nd year Max Christie got almost zero playing time as a rookie.
The following season Rob Pelinka removed all catch & shoot style veteran 2-Guards in an effort to force Max Christie to be the backup 2-Guard. That's still hurting the Lakers bench unit 2-Guard position in 2025-26
Thiero was getting almost zero playing time anyway.
Smart move by Lakers coaching staff.
Switching to a wing based multiple pass offense would help the 7th & 8th Man score off layups more frequently
I say clean house. I've seen enough. And JJ will have the stink of LeBron. Clear JJ pelinka and LeBron. Cut Bronny sperm too
I hope Luka only last 2 years in LA…
The best thing for him is get the hell out of there…i.m from Slovenia like him,i know him all his basketball life….LA is the worst place to be right now….
So much hate there,that,s unbelivable!
At the end,i hope he turn back to Europe as soon as possible..nextt year maybe…
And live normal life with his jung fammily..in USA is that life impossible…
Ty.
What's bronny good for????
We all knew before the season as did JJ and Rob that we were weak defensively . We did what we could financially to sure things up with bringing in a center and Smart. Nobody should be complaining or surprised. We have a 52mil aging LeBron taking up a huge part of our salary cap so building a solid team was a wish at best this season. Injuries have made things even worse. Let’s see what happens after we lose all these expiring contracts.
Just the fact we were playing better without LeBron should give us hope when LeBron and expiring contracts are gone. We could have between 54 and 84mil or more off the books next season. This season is not really JJ or Robs fault. They can only work with what they have.
Calling JJ wrong for not allowing LeBron, Luca or Austin to have fun during practice? Are you watching the Lakers during actual practices or looking at clips after JJ does his routine? Building chemistry with each other starts in practice.
What you guys say on your podcast isn’t wrong but what exactly would you do with our limited options? Fans make suggestions all the time on your podcast that are never talked about other than juggling our current roster.
Exactly, we only have so many options never mind the injuries. Needing to play different lineups every day isn’t easy.
The Lakers have always been the biggest joke of the entire NBA. They buy the best players from other teams like they did with Luka , like they did with LeBron, like they did with Shaq in order to purchase, not earn but purchase championships.
Starting 5 – Luka, LBJ, AR15, Deandre, Rui – below average defense. Bench – Gabe, Jaxson H, Jarred V – below average offense…
Why not ask why is Detroit a better team than the Lakers. Once you understand that it is youth athleticism playing as a team not a ball hog show fast breaking and playing tough D then you will have a better idea of what changes the Lakers need to make. I forgot. Better coaching as well
The Lakers are not good accept that it's that simple
What Lakers fans don't understand is that they are mid to
Their identity is that sadly Lakers look old … give my Luka a new team ..yes get rid everyone n build around him 100%…I want no blueprint from LeBron.. only Luka n Lakers
What part does Dodgers owner, Mark Walter, who purchased the Lakers from the Buss family, and is controlling owner, play? Can you address this?
JJ redick and Rob palinka they are both on the hot seat this new ownership is watching both of them closely JJ after this year he will have one more year to coach this team and get them far in the playoffs and he will be fired
Of course they can, once Lebron moves on.
JJ is stupid Austin Reeve is out just starting lineup should be Luka Marcus Smart LeBron Vanderbilt DeAndre
He needs to put in our defensive players in the lineup Marcus Smart and Vanderbilt and the starting lineup JJ stupid
We ALL KNOW JJ is STUBB😢RN 31:03
LeBron the ball hugging last game he only had four assists Luca had 11 assists so who holding the ball every time LeBron get the ball the whole team is just standing around
All they need to do is use the whole team Play as a team pass the ball move the ball everyone touched the ball
JJ need to play Dalton more