Los Angeles Lakers JJ Redick Calls Out Team After Humiliating Christmas Day Loss
The Los Angeles Lakers’ holiday festivities turned sour on Christmas Day, resulting in a humiliating 119-96 defeat at the hands of the Houston Rockets. In the aftermath, head coach JJ Redick delivered his most scathing assessment of the team since taking the helm, questioning the roster’s effort, professionalism, and desire to win.
Los Angeles Lakers Coach: “We’re a Terrible Basketball Team”
The lopsided loss dropped the Lakers to 19-10 on the season, marking their third consecutive defeat and their sixth in the last ten games. Redick did not mince words during his postgame press conference, offering a brutally honest critique of his squad’s performance.
“We’re a terrible basketball team and tonight we were a terrible basketball team, and that started legitimately right away,” Redick stated. “We don’t care enough to do the things that are necessary. We don’t care enough to be a professional. We don’t have it right now.”
The head coach’s frustration was noticeable as he addressed the team’s lack of intensity. He suggested that the issues went beyond simple execution errors, pointing to a fundamental lack of accountability among certain players.
“It’s a matter of making the choice and too often we have guys that don’t want to make that choice, and it’s pretty consistent who those guys are,” Redick added, issuing a stern warning about the future. “The meeting is gonna be uncomfortable. I’m not doing another 53 games like this.”
A Systemic Collapse
The box score validated Redick’s anger. The Lakers were thoroughly outplayed in nearly every facet of the game. They were dominated on the glass, getting outrebounded 48-25, including surrendering 17 offensive rebounds to the Rockets. While both teams committed 16 turnovers, Houston capitalized on those mistakes to score 23 points, compared to just 11 for Los Angeles.
Defensively, the Lakers continue to struggle, ranking near the bottom of the league in defensive rating. The Rockets exploited these weaknesses relentlessly, scoring 68 points in the paint and building a lead that swelled to as many as 24 points.
Facing the Mirror
Redick wasn’t the only one sounding the alarm. Star player Luka Doncic acknowledged that “something needs to change,” while Jake LaRavia admitted there is a “disconnect” within the team. With key contributor Austin Reaves exiting the game with a sore calf, the pressure is mounting on the remaining core to right the ship.
Redick’s comments serve as a public challenge to his locker room. By calling out the lack of professionalism and effort, he has drawn a line in the sand. As the Lakers look to stabilize their season and improve their playoff positioning, the upcoming “uncomfortable” meetings and practices will determine if this talented but underperforming group can respond to their coach’s urgent call for accountability.
