Despite past tensions and public criticism, Bucks coach Doc Rivers and Lakers coach JJ Redick said there were no bad feelings between them.
“We’re feeling good,” Redick said before the game Thursday. “I have no beef with people. And I’m not going to get into the story of Doc and I’s relationship right now. And I probably never will. He’s fine in my book.”
Redick would go on to beat Rivers and the Bucks 107-102 for the Lakers‘ first win of the pre-season.
During a media appearance last season on ESPN, Redick pointedly questioned Rivers’ sense of responsibility after Rivers spoke of difficulties in taking the Milwaukee job midseason.
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“I’ve seen the trend for years,” Redick said on “First Take.” “The tendency is always to make excuses. Doc, we get it. Taking over a team in the middle of a season is difficult. It is difficult. We get it. It is difficult. … But there is always an excuse. Always throws your team under the bus.”
Redick said Thursday that he apologized for the tone of his comments, which ESPN posted on YouTube under the headline “JJ Redick goes Scorched Earth on Doc Rivers for excuse!”
“It was never really (an issue) for me,” Rivers said. “It was one-way, and I’ve said it many times. “And… take JJ off the board, coaches, they, pour into players. They really do. They pour a lot of love into players. And often that love is rejected, it’s just the way it is.”
Rivers said he expected Redick’s Lakers to be strong when it came to “execution.”
“I think probably executions because that’s what we were known for when he played for me. Ran a lot of it,” Rivers said. “Actually, I watched the first two games and a lot of the sets we ran with the Clippers, the Lakers are running now… I did the same thing as a player. You run what you know well and what you like.. . I guess JJ will probably take from all the coaches he’s played for.”
Rivers said he has empathy for his top assistant, former Lakers coach Darvin Hamwho has been viewed by some as receiving indirect criticism anytime a player says anything positive about the vibes or organization of the Lakers this preseason.
“It’s heartbreak for coaches. Darwin deals with that a little bit,” Rivers said. “He sees guys making comments now that he’s poured in. not right But that is exactly what happens in this part of our work. We know that goes into it.”
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Thursday, the Lakers were without Austin Reaves due to ankle pain. Redick said the issue is not a concern. The team also maintained minute limits Max Christie, Gabe Vincent and Cam Red.
LeBron Jamesas he did on Sunday in Palm Dessert against Phoenix, only played the first half. He scored 11 points to go with six rebounds and four assists. Anthony Daviswho played in the third quarter, had 11 points and eight rebounds to go with three blocks.
The Lakers trailed by 15 in the fourth quarter before a rookie 20-0 run. Dalton Knecht and the Lakers’ deep bench pushed them to victory.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
