Redick frustrated with Lakers Holiday Hangover despite recent win
LOS ANGELES, Sunday, January 5, 2026 — Despite a roster brimming with championship aspirations, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is sounding the alarm on a growing issue plaguing his team: a lack of offensive discipline.
Speaking to reporters after Saturday’s practice, Redick expressed visible frustration with the team’s execution, revealing that he has resorted to “joysticking” players from the sideline—calling out specific moves in real-time—only to see those instructions ignored or botched on the floor. While the Lakers have shown flashes of dominance, Redick attributes the recent dip in mental sharpness to the distractions of the holiday season.
‘I Don’t Know What Else To Do’
The second-year head coach, known for his meticulous preparation and high basketball IQ, was candid about the disconnect between the coaching staff’s game plan and the players’ application.
“I don’t know what else to do,” Redick admitted, referencing the team’s stagnant offensive sets. “I do a lot of joysticking on the sideline. … It’s just like, that’s happening so consistently right now. I chalk it up to the holidays.”
The “joysticking” comment highlights a concerning trend for Los Angeles. Typically, a coach intervenes with play-calling during dead balls or timeouts, trusting players to read and react during live action. Redick’s need to micromanage possessions suggests a breakdown in trust or focus, particularly troubling for a veteran-laden group expected to operate on autopilot this deep into the season.
A Pattern of Inconsistency
This isn’t the first time Redick has publicly challenged his squad. Earlier in the season, his criticisms focused on defensive lapses. Now, the malaise seems to have drifted to the offensive end.
Broken Plays: Redick noted instances where plays drawn up in the huddle were immediately modified or ignored once the ball was in play.
Mental Fatigue: By blaming the “holidays,” Redick is signaling that the issues are likely focus-related rather than a lack of skill—a diagnosis that offers hope for a quick turnaround but raises questions about the team’s professionalism.
Recent Context: The comments come despite a recent victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, proving that Redick is prioritizing process over results as the team eyes a deep playoff run.
With the holiday season officially in the rearview, the Lakers’ coaching staff expects a “return to normal” immediately. For a team with title-or-bust expectations, the time for holiday hangovers is over; the time for execution is now.
