After an extensive search and a candidate rejecting an offer, the Los Angeles Lakers in June named former NBA player JJ Redick as the franchise's next head coach.
Dan Hurley, who coached the UConn Huskies men's basketball team to its second straight NCAA title in April, turned down an offer from the Lakers in June.
The franchise's choice was quickly met with both praise and skepticism, with many critics pointing out Redick's lack of coaching experience. This week, three-time NBA All-Star Steve Francis became the latest critic to voice his concerns about the Lakers' decision.
“I love basketball, but there's no way it's just because he went to Duke and he's criticizing people on TV like he seems like a great coach,” Francis recently told the “Live from the District” podcast.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Former NBA player Steve Francis attends the Chicago Bulls-Houston Rockets game on February 3, 2017, at the Toyota Center in Houston. (David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Francis then mentioned a few assistant coaches he thought the Lakers could consider in their coaching search.
“But I look at it like all the other guys who have put in a lot of significant work. You've got my boy, David Vanterpool, here in Washington. You've got Sam Cassell. You have a lot of guys who have championship experience. All these guys who are going to experience and get watched just because in this generation it's “it” right now because these guys are doing these podcasts.”
LEBRON JAMES ON PERFORMING WITH SON BRONNY AS A LAKERS MAN FOR THE FIRST TIME: “I'll never forget”
Prior to coaching the Lakers, Redick hosted the podcast “The Old Man and the Three.” He also co-hosted the “Mind the Game” podcast with four-time NBA champion LeBron James.
During his introductory press conference, Redick admitted he has no history of coaching in the NBA.
“I had never coached the NBA before. “I don’t know if you heard that,” Redick said with a sarcastic smile.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today Sports)
However, one reporter followed up on Redick's statement and asked if he had heard the criticism and negative people and if he wanted to clear up any “misconceptions” about being the team's next head coach.
“It's a valid question and I've certainly heard it all,” Redick replied. “It has been a really interesting six weeks in terms of being part of the engaging agriculture industry. It was really interesting.
“But I don't really have a good answer to your questions because I really don't care. Honestly, I want to coach the Lakers. I want to coach the team. I don't want to. I don't want to dispel anything. I want to be a great coach in the NBA and I want to win championships. I also want my players to maximize their careers.
JJ Redick before Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 9, 2024, in Boston. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Although Redick spent 15 seasons in the NBA, Francis suggested that Redick may have difficulty getting his message across in the Lakers' locker room. He also predicted that James would essentially ignore Coach Redick.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Something will happen when Darvin Ham was the coach. “LeBron will not listen to a single word JJ says,” Francis added. “Why would you listen to him? I wouldn't listen to him if he coached me. I'll just see how long I'm baking it and think, 'What are you saying? You know what I'm doing, so tell someone else.
“So it's definitely going to be difficult for him to break through and the camaraderie of the circus around him and his son will be very distracting for a novice coach and we'll see what happens.”
The Lakers have three preseason games remaining before the Minnesota Timberwolves' first regular-season game against Liverpool on October 22.
Fox News' Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage in Xand subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
