Five playoff games later, the LA Lakers are officially in their offseason. You cannot truly say “after a tough fight” because the 1-4 record does speak for itself. JJ Redick & Co. won’t put their 18th banner on the rafter. However, this result, despite having Luka Doncic and LeBron James on the team, seems unbelievable, doesn’t it? Meanwhile, the head coach may have said something odd. At the same time, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Playoff series isn’t stopping GM Rob Pelinka from dreaming big.
The Lakers are gearing up for a big offseason, with one goal in mind: another championship with LeBron. Rob Pelinka acknowledged the challenge ahead and confirmed they’re ready to meet Bron’s high expectations. “I think LeBron is gonna have high expectations for the roster, and we’re going to do everything we can to meet those. But I also know that, whatever it is, he’s gonna still give his 100% every night, whether that’s scoring, assisting, defending, rebounding, leading, we know that going to always be 100%, never wavers,” said Pelinka.
Meanwhile, JJ Redick addressed the media in a press conference that was anything but typical. While the disappointment was palpable, Redick took the opportunity to make a striking revelation: his squad wasn’t in “championship shape.” Citing the team’s struggles against the Timberwolves, he emphasized the urgent need for improvement in fitness this offseason. He made it clear that if the Lakers are to contend for the title, serious work on conditioning is non-negotiable.
JJ Redick: “We have to get in championship shape.”
Redick notes some players were in “phenomenal” shape and others could’ve been in better shape. But collectively, they need to be in better shape.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) May 1, 2025
Well, Redick didn’t drop any names—but let’s be honest, the NBA world was already connecting the dots, and the usual suspect wasn’t hard to spot.
JJ Redick’s statement brings about speculations among NBA fans
A fan didn’t beat around the bush, instead commenting: “Doncic.” The Luka Doncic trade sent shockwaves, but the real tremor came after. Reports surfaced alleging the Mavericks had grown weary of their All-Star’s weight and conditioning struggles. Therefore, JJ Redick’s statement oddly feels like a jab at the Slovenian Sensation for many people.
“Publicly sending shots to Luka? ” Someone asked on X. Well, JJ Redick’s comment comes at a time when the Lakers have too much on their plates. Player fitness and conditioning are one of them indeed. But, defense? And, strategic failure in rotations? Who is going to resolve them?
Another fan commented:
Played the same players the whole series with no rotations but talking about get in championship shape pic.twitter.com/Xkt1zyNOmk
— Kei (@citygirlkei305) May 1, 2025
Another fan wrote: “Chuka getting on LeBron’s diet.” Behind Bron’s ageless dominance lies a $1.5 million-per-year investment in peak performance. From precision-planned meals to elite recovery methods, every detail fuels his relentless grind. So, if JJ Redick truly did taunt Doncic, then maybe James Sr.‘s diet would help Luka, at least for this fan, it would.
Lastly, someone brought Nico Harrison into the mix and commented:
coach openly flaming Lukas shape pic.twitter.com/TgYGVpBxFd
— (@honestfan77) May 1, 2025
So, from heartbreaks to dreaming big for the next season, the LA Lakers have boarded the crazy rollercoaster. Rob Pelinka is ready to help LeBron James get the help he needs on the court. And Redick, despite the disappointment, seems pumped for more. But his statement? Is it really a hit on Luka Doncic? What do you think?
The post America Believes JJ Redick Took Subtle Shot at Luka Doncic’s Weight as LeBron James’ Front Office Demand Unearths appeared first on EssentiallySports.