Franz Wagner, Missed Free Throws, Lakers Losses Send JJ Redick to ‘Very Dark Place’

The Orlando Magic escaped Los Angeles with a win over the Lakers on Thursday night when Franz Wagner hit a game-winning three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter. It was the Lakers’ first home loss of the season, and to give Wagner a chance to win the game, LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined to make four of six free throws in the game’s final minute.

JJ Redick addressed the media after the game and he was visibly hurt. The first-year Lakers coach prides himself on being a basketball junkie, and his body language backed up the claim. It was the first time the team had lost in more than two weeks, and yet Redick looked devastated.

The only thing that made him smile was being asked how hard he takes losses, when he revealed that he goes down to the basement to watch movies and wallows in defeat.

“I’m going to a very dark place,” Redick said. “Literally. It’s the basement. I turn off the lights and I watch movies. Yeah, that’s my therapy.”

As a former player, Redick should know better than to take such tough losses in the regular season. Even the best teams – which the Lakers actually are – are going to lose 20% of the time. Probably even more than that. Acting like you just lost the Super Bowl once a week is not good for your mental health.