OKLAHOMA CITY — As the Lakers prepare to face the Thunder in a best-of-seven second-round playoff series, JJ Redick and Mark Daigneault share their memories of Scott Brooks.
Redick first met Daigneault when he was an ESPN analyst, discussing the Thunder’s young roster developing into a title contender.
Daigneault, the current Lakers head coach and 2024 NBA Coach of the Year, mentioned showing film of Redick’s defensive plays to his players during practice.
“(Daigneault) pulled me aside afterwards and mentioned a very specific series that he was showing clips (of Redick) to a couple of guys,” Redick said.
Redick reflected on his perceived defensive reputation, stating, “I think probably because of how I look, I get labeled as like a duck.”
He continued, “But I was a duck in my first two years, and I was a duck my last three years. But in between, I was a pretty good defender.”
Redick noted that he has shown only one video of himself to players, which he used to illustrate the importance of taking a charge.
“I showed a clip of me taking a charge on LeBron (James), catching his spin move and it was his left elbow that went into my eye, and I got nine stitches and a concussion,” Redick said.
Daigneault and Redick share a connection through Lakers assistant coach Scott Brooks, who coached the Thunder from 2008-2015.
During Brooks’ tenure, Daigneault coached the Thunder’s G League team, the Oklahoma City Blue, gaining invaluable experience.
“It was my first exposure to the NBA, and I was a G League coach,” Daigneault said.
He added, “He was gracious enough to let me be around the team in training camp, and when there were home games, I’d be around, preseason stuff.”
This shared history highlights the intertwining paths of both coaches as they gear up for the playoff clash.
The Lakers and Thunder will tip off Game 1 of their playoff series at Paycom Center on May 6, 2026.
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