Sometimes, the internet has a way of turning nostalgia into destiny. That’s exactly what happened when a five-year-old podcast clip of JJ Redick praising Marcus Smart resurfaced, just as the veteran guard signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, where Redick now serves as head coach.
In the clip from The Old Man and the Three, Redick didn’t hold back his admiration:
“I love Marcus, and I think, you know, if I’m picking a basketball team, I want him on my team. He gets under guys’ skin. He competes. There’s a level of flopping to the Marcus Smart experience, but I think that overshadows all the other amazing stuff he does.”
The quote, once a casual reflection, now reads like a recruitment prophecy.
Redick recalled being guarded by Smart during his playing days in Philadelphia and LA, describing the Celtics guard as relentless, irritating, and ultimately, deeply respected.
“He’s a guy that just makes winning plays consistently,” Redick added. “I actually just enjoy watching him play. I like guys that compete like that.”
Now, Redick doesn’t just get to watch, he gets to coach him. Smart, 31, arrives in LA after a buyout from the Washington Wizards, signing a two-year, $11 million deal. Though injuries have limited him to just 54 games over the past two seasons, his reputation as a defensive anchor and emotional leader remains intact.
The Lakers, stacked with offensive talent like Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, don’t need Smart to run the offense. They need him to set the tone, guard the toughest matchups, and bring grit to a team that’s been searching for defensive identity.
Redick’s coaching philosophy, rooted in effort, communication, and accountability, aligns perfectly with Smart’s DNA.
