According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Anthony Davis is favoring Pelicans assistant coach James Borrego over JJ Redick as the successor to Darvin Ham for the Los Angeles Lakers. This preference stems from the longstanding relationship between Davis and Borrego, dating back to Davis’s time with the New Orleans Pelicans.
While the bond between Davis and Borrego is undeniable, there could be another layer to Davis’s resistance towards Redick.
The Voter Ballots Controversy
When the NBA released this year’s voter ballots for awards and honors, it became evident that Redick, now an ESPN analyst, did not include Davis in either of the All-Defensive teams. Redick’s selections comprised players like Bam Adebayo, Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, Alex Caruso, Herb Jones, Jarrett Allen, Jalen Suggs, Derrick White, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
This omission raised eyebrows, particularly because Davis ended the season with a better Defensive Rating than Allen, Suggs, Gilgeous-Alexander, and White. Despite being on a relatively poor defensive unit, Davis was widely considered the anchor of the Lakers’ defense, single-handedly keeping them in the playoff hunt. Some even advocated for Davis to win Defensive Player of the Year.
Anthony Davis’s Frustration
Davis himself was visibly frustrated by the snub. “They’re not giving it to me. The league doesn’t like me,” he told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. This sentiment might be fueling Davis’s reluctance to welcome Redick as his coach.
Despite Redick’s omission, Davis ultimately secured a spot on the All-Defensive first team alongside Adebayo, Gobert, Wembanyama, and Jones. However, the question remains: could Davis be harboring a grudge against Redick?
JJ Redick’s Potential Hiring
The situation could become more intriguing if Redick is indeed named as Ham’s successor. According to Shams Charania, the Lakers are “zeroing in” on hiring Redick, potentially waiting until the end of the 2024 NBA Finals to make the announcement. Redick is currently scheduled to call the series on ABC, concluding no later than June 23 with a possible Game 7.
A Possible Alternative
Nevertheless, Davis might not need to worry about sharing the locker room with Redick. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Lakers are also preparing a contract offer for UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley.
Anthony Davis’s preference for James Borrego over JJ Redick as the Lakers’ new coach adds an intriguing subplot to the team’s offseason. Whether it’s rooted in personal relationships or past slights, Davis’s influence in this decision highlights his importance to the Lakers’ future success. As the Lakers navigate their coaching options, the unfolding drama promises to keep fans and analysts alike on the edge of their seats.
Source: Yardbarker
