Originally published by LakersNation.com
Last week when discussing the Los Angeles Lakers’ potential starting lineup, head coach JJ Redick made it clear that there were two spots up for grabs alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler. Many assume that guard Quentin Grimes is basically a lock for one of those spots, but that doesn’t seem to be the case, at least as far as Redick is concerned.
And that doesn’t bother Grimes at all either as he loves the idea of fighting for and earning that starting spot, not just having it given to him.
“One hundred percent,” Grimes said at Lakers Media Day when asked if his goal is to be a starter. “Having those comments brings competition, brings drive. We want to be competitive every day in practice. I want to get everything I had, I want to fight for it, I want to earn it. I don’t want anything handed to me or given out to me. So I feel like having the competition aspect to go out there and fight for a starting spot is gonna be big for our team, not just for me or whoever wants to get that starting position, but for everyone as a whole and collectively just no matter what, we’re competing every single day.”
There are many reasons to assume that Grimes will ultimately be in that starting role alongside Reaves and Doncic. Last season, the Lakers were at their best with Marcus Smart in that role as he was someone who was the point-of-attack defender, but also capable of handling the ball and creating on offense. Grimes is someone who can operate in that same capacity as a secondary creator and shooter while also defending the other team’s top guard.
Grimes also got the biggest contract of all the Lakers’ free agency additions which many would assume would give him the upper hand in being a starter. But Redick keeping things open will definitely bring out the competition in everyone vying for those spots as Grimes noted. And his mindset of welcoming that competition and wanting to really earn that spot is exactly you want to hear from someone in that position.
Grimes, Collin Sexton, Cameron Carr, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Adou Thiero, Bronny James, Jake LaRavia and Jaden Hardy will all be battling for not just a starting spot, but a regular place in the rotation and Redick is going to give those minutes to the players who earn it in training camp and preseason. Grimes may be a favorite, but he will have to battle with everyone else to ensure that spot is his.
JJ Redick feels pieces on Lakers fit together for first time in tenure
While the Lakers lost a lot of players from last season’s team and have a lot of new faces on the roster, Redick believes that the pieces on this team truly fit together for the first time since he’s been a head coach.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
Last week when discussing the Los Angeles Lakers’ potential starting lineup, head coach JJ Redick made it clear that there were two spots up for grabs alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler. Many assume that guard Quentin Grimes is basically a lock for one of those spots, but that doesn’t seem to be the case, at least as far as Redick is concerned.
And that doesn’t bother Grimes at all either as he loves the idea of fighting for and earning that starting spot, not just having it given to him.
“One hundred percent,” Grimes said at Lakers Media Day when asked if his goal is to be a starter. “Having those comments brings competition, brings drive. We want to be competitive every day in practice. I want to get everything I had, I want to fight for it, I want to earn it. I don’t want anything handed to me or given out to me. So I feel like having the competition aspect to go out there and fight for a starting spot is gonna be big for our team, not just for me or whoever wants to get that starting position, but for everyone as a whole and collectively just no matter what, we’re competing every single day.”
There are many reasons to assume that Grimes will ultimately be in that starting role alongside Reaves and Doncic. Last season, the Lakers were at their best with Marcus Smart in that role as he was someone who was the point-of-attack defender, but also capable of handling the ball and creating on offense. Grimes is someone who can operate in that same capacity as a secondary creator and shooter while also defending the other team’s top guard.
Grimes also got the biggest contract of all the Lakers’ free agency additions which many would assume would give him the upper hand in being a starter. But Redick keeping things open will definitely bring out the competition in everyone vying for those spots as Grimes noted. And his mindset of welcoming that competition and wanting to really earn that spot is exactly you want to hear from someone in that position.
Grimes, Collin Sexton, Cameron Carr, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Adou Thiero, Bronny James, Jake LaRavia and Jaden Hardy will all be battling for not just a starting spot, but a regular place in the rotation and Redick is going to give those minutes to the players who earn it in training camp and preseason. Grimes may be a favorite, but he will have to battle with everyone else to ensure that spot is his.
JJ Redick feels pieces on Lakers fit together for first time in tenure
While the Lakers lost a lot of players from last season’s team and have a lot of new faces on the roster, Redick believes that the pieces on this team truly fit together for the first time since he’s been a head coach.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
