JJ Redick Knows What the Playoffs Demand From This Lakers Group

JJ Redick has been direct about what he expects from the Los Angeles Lakers this postseason. Not just better basketball, better everything.

"We all know the playoffs are different, they're harder," Redick said. "You have to be able to elevate your play, but beyond that, it's elevating your recovery, your attention to detail, your preparation."

That's the standard he's set. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both out indefinitely, the margin for error is essentially zero. Redick knows it, his players know it, and the approach this week has reflected that reality at every turn.

The Lakers haven't panicked. Redick put his team through an active practice focused entirely on his own group before introducing Houston's personnel the following day. He talked about reaching certain physical thresholds, and his players bringing a business-like focus to the work. 

There are a number of issues the Rockets will present to LA in this series. But out of them all, the differential in how these teams rebound may be the one that has the potential to present the biggest matchup problem. 

Houston led the NBA in rebounding this season at 48.1 per game. The Lakers were near the bottom at 41.0. Redick knows that gap has to be closed through effort and detail, not personnel.

He literally started one of his practices this week with boxing out drills and said it was the only thing he communicated to his team about the Rockets that day. That's how seriously he's taking it. Beyond the matchup specifics, Redick has leaned on a broader philosophy about what it takes to win in the postseason.

"Resiliency," he said. "The playoffs to me are all about resiliency. The team that is unwilling to let go of the rope for the longest amount of time, that's ultimately the team that wins the series."

Redick has been open about needing contributions up and down the roster. He's talked about trusting Bronny James, believing in his shooting, and wanting continued defensive development from him.

Luke Kennard has been strong since Doncic and Reaves went down, doing an admirable job initiating offense in their absence. Marcus Smart is healthy and ready to shoulder backcourt load. This group has found ways to win without its stars, and Redick's pointed to that as proof the belief is real.

"The mindset for our team," Redick said, "is we're gonna try to make this season as long as possible so that we can get those guys back at some point." That's the whole plan. Survive, compete, keep the door open.

Redick acknowledged nobody around the league is afraid of this Lakers team right now. He said as much himself, noting everybody wants to play them. When the Lakers were healthy in March they went 15-2 and were one of the hottest teams in the NBA. That team is still in there somewhere, and it's on this group to find it.