Despite falling short of an NBA title, the Los Angeles Lakers returned to form under first-year head coach JJ Redick.

L.A. surged to a 50-32 mark, claimed its first Pacific Division crown since 2020, and wrested the No. 3 seed in a loaded Western Conference.

That run came despite midseason fireworks, most notably shipping franchise cornerstone Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for five-time All-Star Luka Doncic.

When the league revealed its Coach of the Year balloting, Redick’s name appeared outside the top five finalists, but the details were telling. 

A global media panel of 100 voters awarded the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kenny Atkinson the 2025 NBA Coach of the Year award, but just a few spots down was Redick, who received five third-place votes. 

JJ Redick received five 3rd place votes for Coach of the Year. https://t.co/McnXOoFhCs

— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) May 5, 2025

Fans online didn’t hesitate to react to the news. 

One user said, “Interesting,” to which another replied, “How the [expletive] is JJ Redick even on this list 🤣🤣🤣”. 

Another commenter said, “JJ Redick? Get a grip 😭😭😭,” followed up by one fan with, “I’m not tripping about the people up there I’d just reorder it. I would’ve had 1. J.B 2. Ume 3. Kenny 4. J.J. 5. Okc coach 6. Lue.”

Some focused on the other coaches left off the list.

One fan said, So when Cleveland has a stacked roster their coach gets it. But when Mazulla gets Boston to the best record in the nba last year he doesn’t get any votes? 🧐,” 

Another user agreed, saying, “No Mazzula? Lmao.”

Like it or not, it’s clear that Redick’s regular‑season achievements, winning at least 50 games, navigating a locker room featuring a 40‑year‑old megastar and a newly acquired MVP candidate, warranted serious consideration.

Even if the ultimate objective, advancing deep into the playoffs, fell short in a 4-1 first‑round exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, L.A. exceeded expectations.

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