J.J. Redick’s decision not to include Anthony Davis on his 2023-24 All-Defense ballot will not be an issue as he takes over as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
“One source close to the process insists that JJ Redick’s refusal to place Anthony Davis on his All-Defense ballot this season is a topic both parties can set aside with little fuss now that Redick is Davis’ coach,” Stein wrote.
Redick revealed his award votes for last season in April on his YouTube channel.
Redick’s list, which featured San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama on the first-team ballot, did not include the Lakers’ blocks leader.
Redick’s All-Defensive First team included Wembanyama as well as the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert, Chicago Bulls’ Alex Caruso and New Orleans Pelicans’ Herb Jones.
He also didn’t include Davis on his second team, which consisted of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Jarrett Allen, Orlando Magic’s Jalen Suggs, Boston Celtics’ Derrick White, Denver Nuggets’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Redick did, however, say later in the April video that he voted for Davis as a member of the All-NBA 3rd Team.
“The defensive numbers for the Lakers as a team are not great, they’ve been basically right around league average all year, but his impact defensively, particularly protecting the paint, at the rim, all of the metrics say he’s been a top ten defender,” Redick said about Davis.
Whether or not Davis was aware of Redick’s ballot votes, The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Sam Amick and Jovan Buha reported Thursday that he had input in the Lakers’ decision to hire Redick.
Redick met with Lakers management including general manager Rob Pelinka to share a plan for a system that would focus “on elevating Anthony Davis’ involvement, particularly late in games,” Charania, Amick and Buha wrote.
The Athletic reporters added that Redick had a phone call with Davis prior to the confirmation of his hiring.
Redick’s April video, and his reported talk with Lakers leadership, makes it clear that he was aware of the key defensive role Davis plays in Los Angeles despite his ballot vote.
Combined with his media partnership with LeBron James, it looks like Redick could have a positive relationship with both Lakers stars heading into his first season as head coach.
