Despite past tensions and public criticism, Milwaukee Doc Rivers, Bucks coach And Lakers coach JJ Redick said there were no bad feelings between them.
“We’re good,” Redick said before Thursday’s game. “I don’t carry beef with people. And I’m not going to go into the history of Doc and I’s relationship right now. And I probably never will. He’s fine in my book.
Redick and Lakers then beat Rivers and the Bucks 107-102 for their first victory of the pre-season.
During a media appearance last season on ESPN, Redick pointedly questioned Rivers’ sense of responsibility after the coach spoke about the difficulties of accepting the Milwaukee job midway through the season.
Learn more: LeBron James on Bronny’s best play after his cardiac arrest: ‘He left on his own’
“I’ve seen this trend for years,” Redick said on “First Take.” “The tendency is always to find excuses. Doc, we understand. Taking over a team in the middle of the season is hard. It’s hard. We understand. It’s hard. …But it’s still an excuse. This always comes down to throwing your team under the bus.
Redick said Thursday he apologized for the tone of his comments, which ESPN posted on YouTube under the title “JJ Redick does SCORCHED EARTH on Doc Rivers for making excuses!” »
Rivers, who coached Redick for four seasons with the Clippers, said the comments were not a problem.
“It’s never really been for me,” Rivers said, before adding that “the coaches flock to the players. They really do. They shower a ton of love on the players. And a lot of times, that love is rejected, that’s how it is.
Rivers said he expects Redick’s Lakers to be strong when it comes to “execution stuff, because that’s what we were known for when he played for me.”
“I’ve run a lot of them,” Rivers said. “I actually watched the first two games and most of the sets we played with the Clippers, the Lakers are playing them now. … I did the same thing as a player. You run what you know well and what you like…I guess JJ will probably take from all the coaches he’s played for.
Rivers said he had empathy for his top assistant, Darvin Ham, former Lakers coachwho has been seen by some as receiving indirect criticism every time a player says something positive about the Lakers’ vibe this preseason.
“It’s a heartbreak for the coaches. Darvin takes care of that a little bit,” Rivers said. “He’s seeing guys commenting now that he’s gotten into it. It’s not good. But that’s exactly what happens in this part of our work. We know it.
Learn more: New ‘Lake Show’ jersey ‘a representation of the Lakers and the city’ of Los Angeles, says LeBron James
Thursday, the Lakers were without Austin Reaves due to ankle pain. Redick said the issue is not a cause for concern. The team also limited the number of minutes Max Christie, Gabe Vincent And Reddish Cam.
LeBron Jamesas he did Sunday in Palm Desert against Phoenix, only played the first half. He scored 11 points with six rebounds and four assists. Anthony Daviswho played the third quarter, had 11 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
The Lakers trailed by 15 in the fourth quarter before a 20-0 run by the rookie. Dalton Knecht and the Lakers’ deep bench pushed them to victory.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.
This story was originally published in Los Angeles Times.
