After an extensive search and a candidate rejecting the offer, Los Angeles Lakers Former NBA player JJ Redick was named the team's next head coach in June.
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 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 he went to Duke and he's criticizing people on TV like he's 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 done a lot of important things. You have my son David Vanterpool in Washington. You've got Sam Castle. You have a lot of guys who have championship experience. This generation has “it's happening now because these guys are making these podcasts.”
LeBron James meets Lakers for first time with son Brony: 'I'll never forget'
Prior to coaching the Lakers, Redick hosted the podcast “The Old Man and the Three.” He co-hosted the “Mind the Game” podcast with the four-time NBA champion. LeBron James.
During his introductory press conference, Redick admitted that there is no NBA coaching record.
“I've never coached the NBA. I don't know if you've heard this before,” Redick said with a wry smile.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the University of California, Los Angeles Health Training Center. (Jane Kamin-Oncia/USA TODAY Sports)
However, the reporter followed up on Redick's statement and asked if he had listened to the critics and wanted to clear up any “misconceptions” about being the team's next head coach.
“It's a big question and I've certainly heard it all,” Redick replied. “It was really interesting to be a part of the engagement farm industry for about six weeks. It was really interesting.
“But I don't really have a good answer to your question because I really don't care. Honestly, I want to coach the Lakers. I want to coach the team. I don't want to be a great coach in the NBA and I want my players to maximize their careers.
JJ Redick before Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks on June 9, 2024, at TD Garden 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 largely ignore Coach Redick.
Click here to download the Fox News app
Francis added: “What will happen is that Darvin Hamm is like a coach. “LeBron won't listen to a word JJ hasn't said.” “Why would you listen to him? I wouldn't listen to him if he coached me. I would just look at how much I beat him and think, 'What are you talking about? You know what I do, so talk to someone else.
“It will definitely be difficult for him to survive the friendship with the circus surrounding him and his son. It will be a lot of confusion for a first-time coach and we will see what happens.”
They have three preseason games remaining before their first regular season game against the Minnesota Timberwolves Lakers on October 22.
Fox News' Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage in Xand subscribe Fox News Sports Bulletin.
