Mike Krzyzewski on JJ Redick coaching the Lakers: "He's prepared as well as any player I've coached at Duke"

Many were up in arms when the Los Angeles Lakers hired JJ Redick as their new head coach. Not only did they think he wasn't qualified for the job because he had no prior coaching experience, but Redick was also perceived as arrogant and cocky.

In light of the accusations, JJ's college head coach, Mike Krzyzewski , defended Redick during his appearance on "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd. According to Coach K, those criticisms are baseless and a mere product of social media.

"For me, JJ's amazingly competitive," he said. "He's prepared as well as any player I've coached at Duke. He's smart, he's confident, and he understands the game. And having 15 years being a pro, he has empathy for the guy trying to make it when he's trying to make it and for the veteran who is still trying to make it."

Coach K praises Redick

If there's a coach who knows JJ well, it has to be Coach K—Redick played four seasons under Krzyzewski at Duke. Although they didn't win a national title together, Redick was a two-time ACC Player of the Year and the National College Player of the Year under his watch.

There were reports that the Lakers sought Krzyzewski's help during the coaching search because he knew the candidates, especially Redick, very well. Whether or not he played a part in JJ's hiring is unknown. But what's clear is that he thinks his former player has what it takes to handle the job.

"I think he has the empathy for what a roster would look like," Krzyzewski continued. "He certainly understands the pro game, and he desperately wants to be a coach. And I think he's surrounded himself with some veteran coaches that will help him. But I love him. I think he's terrific. I think he can relate to his players at the best level."

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Paul George also believes in JJ

Paul George also thinks Redick will be just fine as the Lakers' head coach. Although the former Duke Blue Devil lacks experience, PG thinks JJ has shown the ability to deal with pressure throughout his basketball career.

"The Lakers' job is tough, in my opinion. They're expected to win and hold everyone to a higher standard, so they're not gonna treat him like a first-year, first coaching experience head coach. It's like, no, you're expected to come here and win, and that's it," George said . "But you know JJ went to Duke, had a lot of pressure his entire career, and defied a lot of odds. I think he's up for the challenge."

How Redick will do in his first season in La La Land remains to be seen. But after Coach K's praise for the retired sharpshooter, the Lakers faithful can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they're getting a quality guy to run their team.

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