Even though there is a long way to go, the early reviews of new Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick have been positive. He has brought a new emphasis on organization, attention to detail and analytics,

Los Angeles Lakers head coach J.J. Redick began training camp by showing players a video presentation on which team values he saw as "non-negotiables"

When the Los Angeles Lakers signed JJ Redick as their new head coach, many decried the signing, pointing to his lack of NBA coaching experience as an indicator of his coming ineptitude. Although head coaching experience is usually a pretty good criterion for a new head coaching hire,

Redick, who took the helm of the Lakers in June, replaced Darvin Ham after Ham coached Los Angeles to a disappointing first-round exit in the 2023-24 playoffs. Amid widespread doubt over Redick’s ability to lead a team in the NBA, the first-time head coach boasts a stellar report card at the start of the season, per Charania.

Here are three ways the Lakers are dramatically different this year -- and one way they are troublingly the same.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick made his stance clear regarding Austin Reaves' defensive play. After a disappointing 1-4 NBA road trip, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick saw a need to shake up the lineup and refocus Austin Reaves on key defensive responsibilities—a shift that paid dividends in the games that followed.