In rebuilding the coaching ranks, Reddick has made some intriguing choices for his top-level staff. He has hired two seasoned and highly skilled NBA coaches, each with distinct strengths in offense and defense. Although Reddick is the head coach, his role resembles that of a "Head Executive of Coaching," akin to an NFL structure. This setup allows his two key assistants to manage and oversee the offensive and defensive strategies. It's also noteworthy that they brought in a 3rd coach with high analytics skill and is known for dissecting the weaknesses of the team's opponents.
We can hope that Rondo and Handy will be added as player development coaches. The team's actions and statements indicate a clear focus on acquiring young talent and preparing for the years beyond LeBron's tenure.
It's also worth noting that for the first time in recent years, the Lakers Organization is spending a lot of money on it's coaching staff, presumably hoping to make a difference from this element. All talks about the Lakers, or the Buss Family "being cheap" should be put to rest. While Reddick's individual salary may be a bit low, the overall total of coaching salaries should rival the top spending organizations. This method worked for Vogel, and the overall talent of this staff should be sufficient enough to eliminate most losses due to poor coaching and/or a rookie HC.
Scott Brooks' journey from an NBA player to a successful coach is a testament to his deep understanding of the game. Brooks first made his mark as a player, winning an NBA championship with the Houston Rockets in 1994.
Brooks' first head coaching gig came with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he inherited a young roster featuring Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. Under his leadership, the Thunder reached the NBA Finals in 2012. After his tenure with the Thunder, Brooks coached the Washington Wizards, where he continued to be recognized for his player development skills.
Brooks' coaching style is player-centric and collaborative. Known for connecting with players and developing young talent, he emphasizes communication and understanding. He is primarily known as an offensive coach and will likely have a strong role in assembling the upcoming scheme.
Strategically, Brooks adapts his game plans based on his roster's strengths and weaknesses. He prioritizes ball movement and spacing in his offensive schemes. Defensively, he emphasizes effort and teamwork, fostering a collective approach to stopping opponents. He has no set "label" associated with his methods but follows an old-school approach to building systems that work given his players' strengths. He excels at in-game adjustments and can adapt based on match-ups. His teams often rank among the league leaders in scoring and offensive efficiency.
Scott Brooks' ability to maximize the roster and fine-tune a system around LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and a unique supporting cast will be paramount for the Lakers. Presumably, Brooks aligns with J.J. Redick's emphasis on spacing, given his command of a modern NBA offense. Three-point shooting will be crucial, as the team's strength lies in its offensive capabilities, despite the need for strong defense.
Nate McMillan has had a significant impact on the NBA both as a player and a coach. McMillan spent his entire 12-year playing career with the Seattle Sonics, earning the nickname "Mr. Sonic" for his defensive prowess and court leadership. His defensive acumen has followed him into the coaching ranks and has been a staple of his head coaching career. McMillan has been recognized for his steady leadership, defensive mindset, and adeptness at adapting to the evolving dynamics of the NBA.
McMillan cultivates a culture of accountability and professionalism, and is highly adaptable, adjusting his rotations based on the strengths and weaknesses of his roster. This ability to blend young talent with seasoned players has helped him create cohesive and competitive lineups throughout his coaching career.
McMillan's teams are known for their structured defense, solid man-to-man coverage, effective rotations, and strong defensive rebounding to limit opponents' scoring opportunities. He is not particularly known for being a heavy user of advanced statistics or analytics in his coaching approach.
Offensively, McMillan prioritizes ball movement, spacing, and high-percentage shots. He often opts for mid-range jumpers and points in the paint over the prevalent three-point shooting trends of recent years. McMillan also emphasizes smart decision-making, off-ball movement, and creating scoring opportunities through strategic screens and player movement.
Greg St. Jean is widely regarded as an up-and-coming coach in the NBA and is known for his analytical approach and keen understanding of the game. His journey has seen him develop a strong foundation in both player development and tactical strategy, having honed his skills on the staffs of Frank Vogel and Jason Kidd.
One of St. Jean's primary strengths as a coach is his meticulous attention to detail and thorough preparation. He is renowned for his ability to devise comprehensive game plans and make astute in-game adjustments based on the flow of the game. His analytical mindset allows him to dissect film and statistical data, identifying exploitable weaknesses in opponents while reinforcing the strengths of his own team. This rigorous preparation extends to his practice sessions, where he emphasizes situational drills and scenarios to ensure his players are well-prepared for various game situations.
He is particularly noted for his offensive acumen, focusing on creating efficient scoring opportunities and emphasizing ball movement to generate open shots. His offensive schemes often involve a high degree of spacing and pace, aligning with the modern NBA's emphasis on three-point shooting and fast-break opportunities.
Defensively, St. Jean is known for implementing a cohesive and communicative team defense. He places great importance on defensive rotations and understanding opponent tendencies, ensuring that his players are always prepared and can anticipate the actions of their adversaries.
The Lakers have been keen on integrating Rajon Rondo into their coaching ranks ever since his playing days with the team. However, it seems that occasional off-court incidents and bad press have delayed his coaching debut. Despite this, I expect Rondo to become a key developer of point guards, where his basketball acumen and high IQ can be passed on to emerging talents like JHS and Bronny. His in-depth knowledge of opposing teams and overall systems will be invaluable for game day adjustments and film study, (hopefully) making him a crucial asset for the Lakers.
Phil Handy's departure from the Lakers coaching staff appears to be more of a formality due to the departure of his boss rather than a reflection of his performance. Handy has been with LeBron James since his second stint in Cleveland and is widely regarded as one of the best player development coaches in the league. I assume that he will return to the Lakers, continuing the trend of "going wherever LeBron goes." While Rondo will focus on the offense and point guards, Handy specializes in working with wings and forwards. His expertise lies in footwork, creating space, and fundamental skills, which have proven essential in developing top-tier players.
Balancing the two-point juggernaut of LeBron and Davis with the three-point shooting that has driven past success is essential. The Lakers have been most effective with Davis as a power forward providing a stretch threat, while LeBron operates in a similar space with a more physical approach. LeBron's greatest successes have come with strong three-point shooting that creates space, making the integration of a well-spaced offense critical for the team's performance.
It is notable that all of the top coaches adapt their systems to the strengths of the players, seem to have very good "in game" adjustments, and seem to be specialists in one particular aspect of the game. In this method, the coaching staff will be slightly compartmentalized in their duties, but allows for Riddick to stand above and give guidance from a higher level. As he grows I expect he will have a much greater input on player selection and team composition, and Rob will have a greater emphasis on the busy work of being a GM through making phone calls, deal making and writing contracts. The team will always take a committee approach to ALL high level decisions, but I expect the true vision of Reddick has a much higher level than we normally see in the HC role.
