Mark Daigneault, JJ Redick alternate pleasantries as 2 high head coaches

In a matchup of head coaches, JJ Redick obtained the very best of Mark Daigneault within the Los Angeles Lakers’ 126-99 win over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. That drew the season sequence at one win apiece, however extra importantly, it was Luka Doncic’s and LeBron James’ methodology of sending a message to the West’s high seed with the playoffs across the nook.

Daigneault and Redick are considered a few of the finest minds who tempo the sidelines. Daigneault has the {hardware} to indicate because the reigning Coach of the 12 months. Redick has quieted his doubters as he made the controversial bounce from an NBA media character to a head coach.

Seen as a possible playoff sequence preview, Daigneault and Redick exchanged compliments for one another. That should not be a shocker. In spite of everything, Redick introduced up the unpromptedly Thunder’s head coach throughout his temporary podcast with James final yr.

Daigneault had the possibility to speak about Redick’s ascension as an NBA head coach. Whereas he went by means of the extra conventional work of working his manner up from a school assistant to a G League head coach to an NBA assistant, he respects the previous NBA participant’s journey and was impressed of their conferences when the Thunder grew to become frequent guests on the ESPN broadcast the final two seasons.

“I had no sense he was trying to coach. These are 15-minute conferences. We’re in there chopping it up. That was the primary time I interacted with him however loved my interactions with him and have talked to him since. He is doing an important job. He is obtained all of the stuff it takes to be a great head coach I believe,” Daigneault mentioned. “He is actually, actually shiny. He is extremely dedicated and aggressive. He is a junkie in that manner. I believe even when he was doing TV, he was at all times very ready. He knew your workforce and had seen your workforce. Knew your stats, knew your superior stats. You’ll be able to inform he was digging into the main points, which I believe is essential within the fashionable NBA.”

Redick remembered these conferences fondly. The basketball workhorse mentioned these have been at all times the favourite a part of his demanding job. Not the “First Takes” visitor appearances that went viral on social media each different day.

“That was my favourite a part of my job when broadcasting video games. These quarter-hour you get to spend with the coaches pregame. I realized rather a lot. There’s sure coaches you bought actually excited to speak to. Mark was a type of guys,” Redick mentioned. “I really like how he views the sport. I really like how he views constructing a tradition. That is one thing he established early right here previous to them profitable basketball video games.”

Redick admired Daigneault’s teaching type. Because the Thunder ascended from a rebuild to a title contender, he is additionally developed as a head coach. He went from a relative unknown domestically to a family identify in simply 5 years.

“Anyone mentioned to me final yr that basically stood out. I requested him about it. They received nonetheless many video games they received final yr, high seed, no matter. He mentioned, ‘If you happen to got here into our observe facility three years in the past and also you got here in yesterday, you would not be capable to inform the distinction by way of the vitality, environment, how we communicate to one another, how we work,'” Redick mentioned. “That to me is big on this league. He is actually sharp with tactical technique and whatnot.”

Whereas Redick had no clue who Daigneault was when initially employed, he totally trusted Sam Presti’s rent. In spite of everything, the Thunder GM principally groomed him to be the following head coach. Secure to say his guess has paid off after which some.

“I did not know who he was. By no means heard of him. I believe that was my second-to-last yr, perhaps. I can not bear in mind. It was very clear early on him simply how sharp he was. I do not assume Sam Presti has made a variety of dangerous decisions in his profession. Entrance workplace govt,” Redick mentioned. “When the rent was made, I used to be a participant. I did not make a lot of teaching hires. I bear in mind having an instantaneous thought that, ‘This man should be a stud.’ That is kinda my preliminary thought as a result of Sam typically will get it proper.”