The Los Angeles Lakers (42-25) have yet to prove themselves this season, but new head coach JJ Redick has gotten off to an encouraging start. The team made a surprising midseason move by acquiring superstar guard Luka Doncic and currently trails the Denver Nuggets (44-25) and Houston Rockets (44-25) by just one game for second place in the Western Conference standings.

Redick’s hiring was unexpected, particularly for a franchise as prominent as the Lakers. The Duke graduate had no prior coaching experience aside from volunteering for his fourth-grade son’s team at the Brooklyn Basketball Academy, making his appointment a gamble.

Despite his unconventional background, Redick has established himself as a leader who holds the team accountable.

A prime example came when he criticized the Lakers’ effort following their 111-108 loss to the Brooklyn Nets (23-46) on March 10, as reported by The Athletic’s Jovan Buha.

“We just wanted to take shortcuts,” Redick stated. “… Just shortcuts. You want to be a good team in the NBA? Want to win? You have to do the hard stuff.”

Redick also refused to use LeBron James’ (groin) absence as an excuse. This contrasted with former head coach Darvin Ham’s response after a similar loss to Brooklyn last season, as noted by Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkand.

“I’m tired of people living and dying with every single game we play,” Ham said. “It’s ludicrous. Actually. Like, come on, man. It’s a marathon.”

Statements like this contributed to Ham’s dismissal last offseason, according to Lakers insider Anthony Irwin.

“Sources close to the situation say Ham was told by higher-ups that his message was absolutely not the correct one to send, whether that be to his players or to fans,” Irwin reported on Wednesday. “His poor messaging played a considerable role in Ham’s eventual dismissal, and something the Lakers have said publicly they wanted from his replacement was that psycho competitiveness Lakers fans demand from their team.”