Lakers coach JJ Redick demands players get in championship shape

In the aftermath of the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round playoff elimination by the Minnesota Timberwolves, head coach JJ Redick expressed the need for the team to enhance their fitness levels ahead of the next season. Redick recognized that while some players were in excellent shape, others fell short, impacting their performance during the tightly contested playoff battles. He highlighted this need during a news conference, where he acknowledged the team’s not-so-stellar conditioning as a contributor to their inability to perform in crucial fourth-quarter moments against Minnesota. The Lakers had entered the postseason with great expectations but ultimately missed the opportunity to compete further for the championship. Luka Doncic, a recently acquired star for the Lakers, was specifically mentioned in discussions regarding player fitness post-playoff. Despite his impressive statistics during the series, many commentators noted a perceived drop in his energy, which they attributed to conditioning issues. This perception was further fueled by past discussions around Doncic's weight and fitness level while with the Dallas Mavericks, leading to speculations about whether these factors played a role in the postseason defeat. The controversy surrounding his conditioning and its impact on the team's overall performance raised questions among fans and sports analysts about the efficacy of the trade that brought Doncic to the Lakers. General Manager Rob Pelinka also addressed the team's future, reaffirming confidence in players like Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic as the cornerstones for the upcoming season. Pelinka emphasized the importance of surrounding these key players with the right support to achieve ultimate success, reflecting on the roster adjustment challenges faced during the previous season. He projected hope for the coming season with the belief that the franchise has valuable assets to build a stronger, more competitive team. The Lakers’ recent exit highlighted not just the need for improved fitness but also raised concerns regarding Redick’s coaching decisions throughout the playoffs. With limited postseason experience, Redick's choices—such as not utilizing Jaxson Hayes effectively—came under scrutiny. As the Lakers prepare for a critical offseason, discussions around player fitness, strategic coaching, and overall team structure underscore the urgency for the organization to address these areas for future success, aiming to return to championship contention.