Lakers' JJ Redick says days as podcaster over, notes goal is title - ESPN

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — JJ Redick says his extraordinary hiring as the Los Angeles Lakers' head coach means the end of his podcast with LeBron James.

Redick hopes they'll be able to produce much more compelling content next season in a new incarnation of their partnership: chasing a championship together with the Lakers.

The Lakers formally introduced Redick as their coach Monday, which also happened to be the 15-year NBA veteran's 40th birthday.

In a news conference with general manager Rob Pelinka at the Lakers' training complex, Redick humorously embraced the unlikeliness of his extraordinary hire as he looked across a gym filled with team employees, media members and some of his new players.

«I have never coached in the NBA before,» Redick said with a straight face. «I don't know if you guys have heard that.»

Redick's coaching experience is confined to volunteering with his sons' youth teams, but he plans to overcome that yawning gap with encyclopedic basketball knowledge, personal charisma, an experience-packed coaching staff and an eagerness to innovate.

«This process has been surreal, to say the least,» Redick said. «I take this responsibility very seriously.… The Lakers have some of the most passionate fans around the world, and the expectation is a championship, and so it's my job to deliver a championship-caliber team. That's what I signed up for.»

Redick also said he got this opportunity with no help or advice from James, who must decide this week whether to exercise his player option to return to the Lakers next season or become a free agent.

Although Redick didn't break any news, he spoke extensively about the way he hopes to deploy James next season with the Lakers — including shooting more 3-pointers to