“Wasn’t Like a Punishment”: JJ Redick explains why $60 million star was benched | NBA news

JJ Redick explains why a $60 million star was benched

JJ Redick‘s coaching career started with exciting momentum, with three wins in a row and ignited high hopes among fans and analysts. But that red-hot start has cooled quickly as his team now faces a four-game losing streak capped by a tough blowout loss to the Grizzlies tonight. With high voltages and smooth performance, Redick made a bold decision midway through the game, benching star guard D’Angelo Russell for most of the second half. After the match, he opened up about the choice and the reasoning behind it.
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Redick’s bold mid-term decision

After a blistering 3-0 start to his coaching career, JJ Redick’s winning streak has hit a roadblock with a four-game hitting streak that was capped by a tough blowout against the Grizzlies tonight. The recent slump has forced JJ to make tough calls, including benching D’Angelo Russell for most of the second half. After the match, he explained why.
In the postgame presser, Redick shared his thoughts on the $60 million guard, saying, “Compete level, attention to detail … you know, some of the things we’ve been talking to him about for a couple of weeks. At times, he’s been right good at it, and other times it’s just going back to certain habits.” Unfortunately, Russell’s performance this season has been rocky, averaging a career-high 12 points, limiting him to just 22 minutes tonight.
However, Redick clarified that the decision was not punishment: “It wasn’t like a punishment. I just felt, you know, for us to have a chance to win this game, that’s the path we wanted to take. ” (via: EssentiallySports)
As JJ Redick navigates the ups and downs of his coaching journey, his recent decisions underscore a commitment to accountability and growth, even if it means having tough conversations with star players like D’Angelo Russell. While the team’s struggles have been a reality check, Redick’s willingness to prioritize discipline and effort signals a clear vision for his team’s future. Whether these adjustments will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, Redick is ready to shake things up to keep his team competitive and on the road to success.
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