JJ Redick answered the Rui question beautifully.
Reporter: Do you think Rui could take that next step for you guys?
JJ: what is the next step?
Reporter: you tell me?
JJ: you tell me, you're creating the narrative... IDC about next step, I care about how he impacts winning.
@Goodfella_100 Some are certainly weaponizing development. People who have never seen Angel Reese play, just followed hateful lowlights and remarks. Now they're seeing how she plays in the finals. She developed a 3pt game and adjusted to the flow of the WNBA, but she has always been skillful.
@BarsandTakes@Goodfella_100 3 things
1. It's the egregious, hateful takes, not the constructive ones.
2. A coach have NEVER gotten fired for letting a player stat pad. Also, every player pads to a degree when history is on the line.
3. Players wanted out, left, and didn't sign because of the franchise.
@D__Williams__@Jacobtheclipper He has to eat that L. Kobe used to get mad a lot when he didn't get the ball in need. Why wouldn't superstars get mad if the opposing player is struggling to guard them and they give their team the best chance at winning the game? Competitive superstars want to win.
@iriscentral_ My homeboy who coaches women said one of the most difficult things to do is get them to be competitive. Once they are competitive it is hard to give them critique because you may lose the competitive edge.
But I agree, he has to coach even if he may potentially lose a player.
@Jacobtheclipper You sound like this is your 1st time watching basketball. It's a 7 game series. You're talking about "this is why you don't get so excited for making the finals" after a game 1 loss. That is ridiculous. Lakers lost game 1 vs the 76ers.
After 1 preseason game, Lakers showed:
- defensive intensity
- ball movement
- shot making
- athleticism
They played with so much pride, for each other, free, and a sense of urgency. To not have played with one another, they gelled pretty well.