Magic Johnson Blames JJ Redick’s Misjudgment for Lakers’ Game 4 Collapse Against Timberwolves
Magic Johnson warned about the Minnesota Timberwolves. Even before the start of the series, the former Lakers guard gave away his takes on the game and predicted that the LA side should survive the young Wolves. After game 4, it seems unlikely, unless there is Luka magic or Playoff LeBron who does the trick for the side. The five-time NBA champion knows about this and hence raised questions over some of the decisions HC JJ Redick took.
“I don’t know if it smart to play LeBron [James] and Luka [Doncic] the entire second half after only having one day of rest between Games 3 and 4,” Johnson wrote after the loss. “When we needed LeBron to take over in the fourth quarter he couldn’t—he scored 0 points in the fourth.”
JJ Redick became the first coach to field his starting lineup for the complete second half in the knockout era. But that’s not the record Lakers fans want, they want to win. So, when putting forward his strong side, when the Lakers lost game 4, Magic also raised the same point, questioning LBJ and Luka’s overuse. It is important to know that Luka was not feeling well in game three, while, as athletic as LeBron is, he is 40.
Johnson took to social media to air his postgame grievances, in which he critiqued the Lakers’ inability to score two-pointers. With the starting five on the court, the Lakers managed to take the game till the last minutes, but ‘rested’ Anthony Edwards and the Wolves later overturned the lead in the final three minutes to secure a close 116-113 win.
Also Read: Steve Kerr Says Warriors’ New Member Reminds Him of Andre Iguodala.
JJ Redick Don’t Trust His Bench?
17-time NBA Champions finished in third position in the Western Conference, igniting hope for the title in the Laker Nation. Last time the side directly qualified for the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Heat in the final to lift the trophy in 2020. LeBron was part of that winning side, and fans expected a similar performance from the side.
But if we dive deeper into the stats, JJ Redick is often seen using familiar faces more often than the reserves. There are six players with below 10-minute average game time, while eight others have played between the 10- and 20-minute mark. (including those who are drafted in and out in the 2024-25 season). Rest LBJ, AD, Luka, Reaves, DLo, Dorrian Finey-Smith, Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent clocked 30+ minutes.
In the postseason games, the difference is even vast, LBJ and Luka clocked 40+ minutes while others with 30+ minutes are Reaves, Dorrian Finey-Smith, and Hachimura. Rest stars below 10 minutes, except Gabe Vincent, who played for 18+ minutes.
The disparity is huge and indicates that the coach is heavily reliant on the starters only. (or just two players). The organisation needs to provide some help around their superstars in the next season, else the story might not be different in the 2025-26 season.
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