Chris Finch Shades JJ Redick’s Lakers Hire

Merlin sees the league whispering about JJ Redick — a podcaster turned first-time NBA head coach who nevertheless guided the Lakers to a 50-32 finish and a playoff berth. Critics like Timberwolves coach Chris Finch sneered that podcasting, "it'll qualify you to coach the Lakers," yet Redick still led Los Angeles into the postseason and now has the team off to an 8-4 start. Merlin notes the tale is one of risk and optics: the Lakers bet on a fresh voice and got short-term gains, but a first-round loss to Finch's Wolves left doubters. If Redick sharpens in-game adjustments and earns the respect of veterans and peers, the skepticism will fade. If not, the league will remind him that regular-season wins are easy to dazzle with — playoff proof is the harder magic.