Lakers' Redick Defends Interaction with Doncic as 'Very Normal'
LOS ANGELES -- After a heated bench exchange between JJ Redick and Luka Doncic went viral, the Los Angeles Lakers coach addressed the situation, defending it as a common occurrence in the NBA.
Redick, in a pre-game press conference, expressed his surprise at the online attention, stating, 'It felt very normal to me.' The incident occurred during the Lakers' victory over the Golden State Warriors, where Doncic was substituted and walked away without a fist bump from Redick.
Redick followed Doncic, engaging in a brief argument before returning to the half-court area. This led to a supportive gesture from Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who stood up to separate the players. Redick later clarified that the interaction was a typical competitive moment, common in the NBA, and that he and Doncic maintain a positive relationship.
The Lakers were on a losing streak before the game, which some attributed to frustration among players. However, a source close to Doncic emphasized their strong bond, highlighting their competitive nature and mutual encouragement.
Redick humorously addressed the public's reaction, saying, 'It just feels normal, which is why I wanted to coach the Lakers.' He added, 'I didn't feel any tension.' Doncic agreed, stating, 'Nah, I didn't care about it.' Redick's perspective highlights the normalcy of such interactions in professional sports, where opinions are amplified but remain a natural part of the game.
