Former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas shared strong opinions on Los Angeles Lakers head coach J.J. Redick following the team’s 109-80 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night. Arenas stated bluntly, “J.J. would’ve got fired last night if it was up to me.”
The Lakers struggled offensively, scoring just 80 points, one of their lowest outputs of the season. Redick, however, has only coached the team for 21 games since being hired in the offseason, making Arenas’ suggestion seem extreme to many observers.
Superstars Anthony Davis and LeBron James contributed to the team’s poor showing with subpar performances. Davis shot just 4-for-14 from the field, finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists—his lowest-scoring game of the 2024-25 season. James fared no better, shooting 4-for-16, including 0-for-4 from beyond the arc. He ended the game with 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and six turnovers.
The loss marks the Lakers’ fifth defeat in their last seven games, dropping them to a 12-9 record and the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference. If the season ended today, the Lakers would need to navigate the play-in tournament to secure a playoff spot.
Redick’s hiring followed the departure of Darvin Ham, who coached the Lakers for two seasons. While Ham led the team to the Western Conference Finals in the 2022-23 campaign, his regular-season struggles forced the Lakers to rely on the play-in tournament both years to make the playoffs. Redick was brought in with hopes of achieving greater consistency in the regular season.
Despite Monday’s disappointing loss, it’s important to remember Redick is a first-year head coach still adjusting to the challenges of leading an NBA team. Patience and time are necessary as he navigates these early struggles.
The Lakers will look to rebound on Wednesday when they face the Miami Heat, hoping to regain momentum and improve their standing in the Western Conference.
