JJ Redick Gets Massive Stamp of Approval From Legendary Coach

The Los Angeles Lakers made the polarizing decision of hiring JJ Redick as their new head coach this offseason. After retiring from the NBA three seasons ago, Redick has worked as a commentator and a podcaster. Someone making the jump from media to head coaching without any prior experience on the sidelines raised some eyebrows in the basketball world.

That doesn't mean, however, that everyone is skeptical of the hire. In fact, one of the best basketball minds ever is very supportive of the idea of Redick being the Lakers head coach. Mike Krzyzewski, who coached Redick at Duke between 2002 and 2006, thinks Redick will be a big success in Los Angeles.

Lakers News: Coach K Endorses JJ Redick in His New Role

Calling Redick "terrific" and able to "relate to his players at the best level", Coach K said he expects his former player to do a good job with the Lakers.

"JJ is amazingly competitive and is prepared as well as any player that I coached at Duke. He’s smart, he’s confident and he understands the game and having 15 years of being a pro, he has empathy for the guy trying to make it when he’s trying to make and makes it, and for the veteran who is still trying to make it...So I think he has empathy for what a roster would look like. He certainly understands the pro game and he desperately wants to be a coach."

- Coach Mike Krzyzewski

Coach K knows Redick as well as anyone in basketball. Redick was the best player for the Blue Devils throughout his college years and established himself as one of the greatest Duke players of all time. Krzyzewski was able to see Redick's leadership and competitiveness first-hand.

There is no denying that Redick has all the tools to find success in the NBA. However, it takes more than confidence, competitiveness, and ambition to be a great head coach. Hopefully, Redick figures it out fast in Los Angeles and can translate all that to the sidelines.

More Lakers news and rumors: