JJ Redick has a complaint regarding the use of brand new basketballs in NBA games.
In their 110-103 victory over the Wolves on Tuesday, the Lakers attempted 19 shots from three-point range but only managed to convert two of them. Redick suggests that this poor shooting performance could be attributed to the use of brand new basketballs in games instead of worn-in ones typically used in practice.
Redick expressed his concerns, stating, “I’m going to send in a request for the league tomorrow that we can play with worn-in basketballs. I’m not sure why we’re playing in real games with brand-new basketballs. Anybody who’s ever touched an NBA ball brand new, it’s a different feel and touch than a worn-in basketball. I didn’t realize it until a timeout. There was a long rebound, I grabbed it. I was like, ‘What? Why are we playing with this ball? Give the guys the opportunity to pick a good basketball.’ You think I’m joking — I’m neurotic.”
Redick further explained that the Lakers shifted away from relying on three-pointers in the second half due to their inability to make them.
Regarding Redick’s coaching strategies, Anthony Davis, who had previously questioned some of his methods in the past offseason, praised Redick’s preparation for the game.
“The game plan, the schemes that he had on both ends of the floor, he trusts us,” Davis said. “We trust him, as far as what he teaches us, what he wants us to do on the floor on both ends and it’s our job to go execute it. I think we were very prepared tonight.”
