Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick believes the rest of the Western Conference is looking at the Lakers as a favorable first-round matchup.
Speaking as several West teams continue to sort out their postseason positioning, Redick said “everybody” wants to face a hobbled Lakers group in the opening round of the playoffs.
Redick’s comments come with seeding in the West still unsettled, a stretch of the calendar when matchups can shift quickly and teams pay close attention to potential opponents. In that context, he suggested the Lakers’ health status has made them an attractive draw for clubs still fighting to finalize where they’ll land in the bracket.
The Lakers, a perennial spotlight franchise, often draw heightened attention in the postseason. Redick’s remarks underscored that, in his view, the league’s focus isn’t only on Los Angeles’ star power, but also on whether the team can be at full strength when the playoffs begin.