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June 5, 2025 35 mins

The NBA has become a wasteland for coaches over the last few months. This week, the Knicks canned Tom Thibodeau, despite just having made the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Why? The reasons are still emerging, but it's reasonable to say that Thibs is someone who tends to wear on players and organizations over time. The same can be said for Michael Malone, who did last a decade in Denver but clearly wore through his welcome despite having a successful team and a very recent title. Taylor Jenkins in Memphis? Fired. Mike Brown? Mike Budenholzer? All fired. Many had just received contract extensions. All had, on one level or another, been successful, either in that gig, or in others. 

All gone. 

So how does JJ Redick, who showed real promise in his first season on LA's sideline but also some shortcomings (particularly in the playoffs) parlay his best qualities into the type of long career the Lakers say they were hoping for when they hired him? How do ownership and management play into the equation? 

If he can't make it happen, what aspects of his coaching are personality are most likely to be his undoing? 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

SEGMENT 1: Thibs is out, the NBA is cold. 

 

SEGMENT 2: How can JJ avoid that fate? 

 

SEGMENT 3: What qualities will help and hurt Redick? 

 

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