Why JJ Redick’s assistant coach hires are perfect
JJ Redick took the first big step in building out his staff Wednesday morning when the Lakers announced that they are hiring Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks as Redick’s top two assistant coaches.
It’s no secret that Redick lacks NBA coaching experience and needs assistants around him who have been around for a while if he wants to succeed this season.
Fortunately, McMillan and Brooks have plenty of time leading NBA squads under their belts and are excellent hires for both Redick and the Lakers as a whole.
BREAKING: The Lakers are hiring Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks as top assistant coaches, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/D7WC2f8dDy
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) July 3, 2024
Experience
Nate McMillan played 12 seasons in the NBA, all for the Seattle SuperSonics. During that time, he was a 2x All-NBA defender and led the league in steals in 1994.
In addition to his experience as a player, McMillan has been coaching since 1998, including head coaching jobs with the Sonics, Blazers, Pacers, and most recently, the Atlanta Hawks, where he took over midseason and led them to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 2021.
Scott Brooks, meanwhile, played for seven NBA teams during his career, including winning a championship with the Rockets in 1994.
Since retiring in 2001, Brooks has worked for five NBA teams, and head coached the Washington Wizards from 2016-2021 (where he coached current Laker Rui Hachimura).
Before that, he coached the Thunder from 2008 to 2015, including numerous playoff trips, an NBA Finals appearance, and a Coach of the Year award in 2010.
These coaches have a combined 1,189 wins in the NBA and clearly know what it takes to lead a team to a high level of success, which exactly matches JJ Redick’s needs in an assistant coach.
Here we have Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks going to war against each other
— Osid 🍉 (@osid24) July 3, 2024
Coaching Style
As you would expect from a previous All-NBA defender, McMillan emphasizes defense with his coaching style.
Considering JJ Redick was an offensive-heavy player throughout his career and doesn’t talk about defense nearly as much as offense, McMillan will be the perfect balance as they navigate both sides of the ball.
McMillan will also help develop the Lakers’ young point-of-attack defenders, such as Bronny James and Max Christie.
While Nate McMillan has a style opposite of JJ Redick, Scott Brooks is practically Redick’s coaching twin.
Brooks is best known for his ability to manage a locker room and connect with players. While people expect Redick to do this, it is easier for a seasoned veteran to accomplish than a first-year coach.
Brooks is also not afraid to think outside the box. During his time as the head coach in Washington, he often ran a three-guard lineup with Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal, and Raul Neto, which sparked the team’s midseason turnaround a few seasons ago.
His offensive scheme was heavily centered around the team’s star, something JJ Redick has emphasized he wants to do with Anthony Davis.
Player development is another common emphasis between Brooks and Redick. Brooks has had numerous players grow under his leadership, from stars such as Russell Westbrook and James Harden to role players like Reggie Jackson and Steven Adams.
Brooks is the offensive mind Redick needs to help take his numerous ideas and put them into action on the court.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Lakers nailed the first two assistant staff hires of the JJ Redick era. With McMillan’s expertise in defense and Brooks’s offensive mind, Redick will have support in every aspect of the game while having decades of coaching experience to turn to when he gets stumped or things get rocky.
