The numbers say JJ Redick is the Coach of the Year so far

RC Nazemi

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The numbers say JJ Redick is the Coach of the Year so far image

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

When the Lakers hired head coach JJ Redick, oh, how the sports world got in their laughs. Sentiments of "he's just a podcaster" and "he's never coached at any level before" rang through the halls of places like ESPN and FS1. 

Some in the media knew that he was not only a good selection for the franchise, but the perfect leader to carry the team out of one era and into another. Redick has done exactly that. 

In his first two seasons, minus a first-round exit in his first playoffs as a coach, he's done just about everything right.

He led the Lakers to a 50-32 record in his first season, locking up the three seed in the Western Conference, despite injuries as well as a franchise-altering trade for Luka Dončić midseason. Year two has been no different. 

JJ is looking yet again like the right choice, and if you look hard enough, you might be able to make an early Coach of the Year case for him. 

JJ Redick, by the numbers, is a legitimate COTY candidate

Year two for head coach JJ Redick has seemed like a breeze for him, quite honestly. 

Redick brought back his stellar coaching staff, which includes ex-head coaches Scott Brooks and Nate McMillan, and most of the same roster from last year, aside from some FA signings. 

Even with those signings, Redick has been able to acclimate Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia rather quickly, pulling play out of them that the league thought to be dormant.

He didn't just acclimate them; the Lakers have some of the best team chemistry in the league, and that is Redick's doing in setting the culture. It's not just leading to fun, it's leading to wins. 

It's not just the wins either. It's how he's picked up the wins. So far, out of the 17 games the Lakers have played, LeBron James has been absent for 14 of them. Luka Dončić has missed four games, and Austin Reaves has also missed three. 

Despite this, the Lakers hold a 13-4 record, which is good for 2nd in the West and 3rd in the NBA. Again, it's how they're winning games. 

While this stat goes back to last year, the Lakers under JJ Redick are 57-4 (.934) when leading after three quarters. An NBA record. This season, the Lakers are 6-0 in clutch games and 8-0 when leading at half. 

 

Redick is generating early leads by jumping on teams and not relinquishing control after the lead has been obtained. 

More: JJ Redick already owns an NBA record with the Lakers

Another stat that points to Redick rolling as a head coach is the Lakers' shooting numbers. As a team, the Lakers rank eighth-worst in 3P%, yet they are number one in overall FG%.

This shows that despite a poor shooting start from a team riddled with shooters, Redick's game plans and schemes haven't stopped them from outscoring their opponents. 

It's still about as early in the season as it gets, but thus far, I would say Redick is running away with COTY. 

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Senior Editor