JJ Redick's extreme coaching moves unleashed a dormant $186 million weapon and gave the Lakers their best start in 14 years

JJ Redick makes this coaching business look easy.

For the first time since the 2010-11 season under legendary head coach Phil Jackson and franchise icon Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers are 3-0 to start the season.

Not bad for a former NBA journeyman with no prior coaching experience.

Despite his lack of coaching experience, Redick is a basketball person with an extremely high IQ and a deep understanding of the X's and O's of the NBA.

Perhaps more importantly, the players respect him. This comes from the top of the player pyramid down, starting with Redick's former podcast co-host LeBron James, who has a clear reverence for a man just a year older than him.

Lakers fans have praised Redick for his hands-on coaching style and his commitment to fostering a positive and enjoyable work environment in the post-Darvin Ham era.

Redick's work ethic and relentless pursuit of excellence have not gone unnoticed either. Former NBA pro Baron Davis recently revealed the extreme measures the former sharpshooter will take to keep the Lakers relevant.

“I just ran into @jj_redick at the car wash. He had the laptop and was watching a movie!!!!” Player-coach!!! Lakers in great hands,” Davis wrote on X.

Redick was asked about the story and confirmed that what Davis saw was real – he was actually watching a movie at a car wash.

“It's the circumstances of playing back-to-back,” he said when asked how common it was for him to watch feature films in public.

“Basically, I spent last night and this morning reflecting on last night’s game and looking forward to today a little bit. This morning was no different.”

The former Duke Blue Devil added that his two sons played basketball in the afternoons and the car wash was next door.

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“Very efficient use of time,” Redick added. “I watch a lot of films, but that's not normal, no. Thank you, Baron.”

Redick's comments came before the Lakers moved to 3-0 with a 131-127 win over the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena.

LeBron and Anthony Davis have both put up over 30 points, but it's AD's recent performances that should give Lakers fans the most encouragement.

Davis scored his third straight game with 30-plus points against the Kings and contributed 31 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in his first career win over Domantas Sabonis.

The 31-year-old has averaged 34 points and 11 rebounds in three games while playing on both sides of the ball and qualified (very) early for Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Davis, who signed a three-year, $186 million contract extension with the team last year, became the third member of the Lakers to score at least 35 points in two consecutive games to start the season, joining franchise legends Jerry West and Elgin Baylor.

“We were able to hold our own and make it clear to the league that we are a different team,” Team USA’s Olympic gold medalist said after the win against Sacramento.

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Charles Barkley once said that Davis would become the best player in the world.

But that was back when Davis was the crown jewel of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans and an undisputed No. 1 option.

Chuck's prediction ultimately didn't come true as Davis, like Dwyane Wade and Kyrie Irving before him, was forced to play second fiddle to “King James.”

Davis won a championship with it, but between his role as Robin to James' Batman, constant position changes and injuries (Barkley coined the nickname “Street Clothes” for Davis because he tended to sit on the bench), he is individually the stock suffered a blow.

AD is a nine-time All-Star. He is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

But he should be a perennial MVP candidate and multiple Defensive Player of the Year. He should Join Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the conversation for the best player in the world.

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That has yet to come to fruition, but with Redick now in the Lakers' hotseat, Davis appears to be at his unstoppable best.

And with James now in the midst of his 22nd season and more than ready to pass the torch, Davis is embracing his role as the Lakers' No. 1 option.

This squad will only go as far as Davis takes it this season, and the early signs point to this being a team that is fully capable of contending at the top of the loaded Western Conference.

Redick has made a point of making Davis an integral part of the Lakers' offense, and both the team and Davis are thriving because of it.

“He [Redick] thinks there is more to it [Davis] to give, and I think everyone has been okay with that throughout his career,” said Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

“And then you look at things you do with your style of play that can help you close the gaps, and he does it by focusing on being more efficient with possession.”

“It is very important that he is [Davis] “That’s the main focus for us every night,” LeBron said recently.

“We know what he’s going to do defensively, but offensively we need to find him in multiple spots on the field throughout the game.

Now in its 13th season on The Association, this is arguably the best version of AD we've ever seen.

The rest of the league is rightly taking notice.