Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick did not hold back when asked about the criticism that continues to follow LeBron James, even as the 41-year-old continues to perform at an elite level.
I dont take for granted the LeBron stuff, Redick said. Its unfortunate actually not to go on a little tangent here but its actually unfortunate how much this guy puts into it and how much he cares and the way certain people talk about him. Its crazy. Come be around him every day and see how much this guy cares. Its off the charts.
Redick expanded on why he finds the public narrative around James so frustrating, suggesting criticism is often driven more by attention than truth.
Thats the nature of envy, Redick said. Its the nature of envy. Youre not going to get a click, youre not going to get a response, by saying something nice about somebody, by acknowledging someones greatness, by acknowledging how much they care and how much they work and how much theyve accomplished and continue to accomplish and continue to go after something. I mean, you got to say something bad about him. You got to go on TV and knock him. You got to go read into, Oh, he did this pregame and he did this. Its all just nuts. Be around him every day. Hes unbelievable.
Reporters then asked LeBron about Redicks comments, to which he replied,I really just hope, once its all said and done, that Ive made an impact for those whove followed my career for over twenty-three years since I kinda started this journey in high school, James said. My crew thats been with me.. everything else doesnt matter.
James backed up his coachs words with his play, finishing with 31 points, ten assists, and 9 rebounds while becoming the franchise leader in 30-point double-doubles, passing Kobe Bryant with sixty-one. The performance came less than 24 hours after he logged heavy minutes in a loss to Sacramento.
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