Key Highlights
- JJ Redick dismisses bench tiff with Luka Doncic as “very normal.”
- The incident occurred during a game against the Golden State Warriors.
- Lakers source says “Find me a star on a three-game losing streak in the NBA that isn’t frustrated.”
- Both players maintain a good relationship despite the exchange.
A Normal Game Day Moment
The Lakers’ bench tiff with Luka Doncic, captured and scrutinized by fans on social media, is exactly what it seems: a normal game day moment. Coach Dave McMenamin, speaking to ESPN, didn’t see any significance in the brief exchange that occurred during their 129-101 win over Golden State. “I don’t know why it went viral,” Redick said. “It felt very normal to me.”
Context and Clarity
The incident happened when Doncic was subbed out of the game, walked to his seat without accepting Redick’s fist bump, and the two shared a few heated words before Redick walked back toward half court. Jarred Vanderbilt, a forward for the Lakers, stepped in to separate them.
Team Dynamics and Competition
Redick’s dismissive attitude towards the incident is not out of character, given his long history with the Lakers. He said, “I didn’t think much of it at the time, to be honest with you,” Redick continued, “I don’t think Luka did either.” The two have a great relationship, and Redick values their interaction as part of the competitive nature of the game.
Broader Implications
It’s important to remember that in the NBA, players on teams going through tough stretches are bound to feel frustrated. Redick himself was asked about how he deals with outside noise while trying to focus on coaching his team. “It just feels normal,” he said, laughing. “Which is probably part of the reason I wanted to coach the Lakers.”