JJ Redick has just managed what no LA Lakers coach has done since Pat Riley in 1982, it’s a great omen

With the Los Angeles Lakers officially clinching the third seed in the Western Conference, JJ Redick made franchise history.

After two disappointing seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers finally parted ways with Darvin Ham last summer .

Many expected the organization to approach an experienced head coach next.

However, the Purple and Gold hired former NBA player JJ Redick as their coach.

Evidently, most expected JJ to fail in his first season with the team.

But with just one game left to be played this season, Redick has already surpassed all expectations that fans had for him at the start .

After all, the Lakers have clinched a direct playoff berth for the first time since 2020.

JJ Redick makes Lakers history for the first time since Pat Riley Following the Lakers recent 140-109 win over the Houston Rockets , the organization reached 50 wins for the first time since the 2019-20 NBA season.

In the process, the team also clinched the Pacific Division title.

Coach Redick became the first Lakers head coach to reach this feat in his first season since Pat Riley did so in the 1981-82 NBA season.

While Redick is already in a historic company, the rookie head coach has a chance to make this season further special for himself.

Coach Redicks Lakers have a real shot at winning the 2025 NBA Championship as they will begin the postseason as the third seed in the West.

Redick has a shot at repeating Rileys success Aside from Redick and Riley, the above-mentioned milestone was also reached by Jerry West (1976-77 season) and Paul Westhead (1979-90 season).

However, out of the three legendary Laker figures, only Riley and Westhead were able to lead the Purple and Gold to an NBA title in the same year.

Wests 76-77 Lakers were eliminated in the Western Conference Finals.

Now, Redick has a chance to win the title this year and forever etch his name into Lakers history.

Considering the quality of the Lakers roster, Redick has a legitimate shot at winning a ring as a rookie head coach.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission..

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