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Anthony Gharib, ESPN
The Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a four-year contract with JJ Redick to make him their new head coach Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The hiring comes nearly two months after the franchise fired Darvin Ham after two seasons.
Redick, who has no prior coaching experience in college or the NBA, played 15 seasons in the league, averaging 12.8 points on 41.3% shooting from deep. The Orlando Magic drafted Redick 11th overall in 2006, three years after the Cleveland Cavaliers selected LeBron James with the No. 1 pick.
Redick and James faced off 35 times in the regular season and playoffs, with the Lakers star holding a 24-11 advantage. James averaged 27.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists, while the former sharpshooter averaged 12.3 points.
This will be the fourth time James has a head coach whom he faced as a player. Here’s a look back at other players James played against who ended up becoming his head coach.
Tyronn Lue
Years coaching James: 2016-2018
Record vs. James: 5-9
Stats vs. James: 10.2 points, 3.4 assists, 1.4 rebounds
Before winning a title with James in 2016, Lue laced up against him 14 times.
Their first matchup came in James’ first Christmas Day game in 2003. James had 34 points in an overtime loss to Orlando, while Lue had 11 points and 2 assists. Lue’s highest point total (19) against James came when the guard was with the Atlanta Hawks in December 2005.
One of James’ 77 career 40-point outings came against Lue, when he had 40 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in a December 2004 win.
Luke Walton
Years coaching James: 2018-19
Record vs. James: 3-8
Stats vs. James: 3.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Walton was the man in charge during James’ first season in Los Angeles. The Lakers had a promising start before James suffered an injury on Christmas Day in 2018, hampering a campaign that ended without a playoff berth.
Walton didn’t have much success against James as a player, never winning consecutive matchups. The two-time NBA champion also never scored double-digit points versus James.
LeBron, on the other hand, averaged 29.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 1.5 steals.
Darvin Ham
Years coaching James: 2022-24
Record vs. James: 2-2
Stats vs. James: 0.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.0 assists
The 2004 NBA champion only played two seasons after James was drafted. All four matchups took place during the 2004 calendar year, and Ham never exceeded 12 minutes of playing time.
James had his then-career-high scoring total against Ham on Nov. 26, 2004: 43 points on 68.2% shooting.