JJ Redick on 76ers' Experience: 'You Can Play in Philly, You Can Coach the Lakers'

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick will be in familiar territory when his team faces the Philadelphia 76ers on the road Tuesday, and he believes his time as a player in the City of Brotherly Love helped give him the toughness necessary to coach the Purple and Gold.

"You can play in Philly, you can coach the Lakers," he told reporters when asked how his time with the 76ers helped him moving forward in his career.

Redick suited up for Philadelphia for two seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19. The team lost in the second round of the playoffs in each of those campaigns, but it gave Redick a chance to play in front of a fanbase that is known for its passion, high expectations and ability to create pressure.

Not only did he play there, he largely thrived.

After all, his 17.6 points per game with the 76ers was the highest mark for one team during a career that also included stops on the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks.

Redick has moved from player to coach and has the Lakers playing excellent basketball with wins in six of their last seven games to move into fifth place in the Western Conference standings and just one game behind the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets.

By comparison, the 76ers are just 17-27 and outside even the Eastern Conference play-in tournament in 11th place in the standings.

Philadelphia fans will likely greet Redick warmly upon his arrival, although they may change their tune if he hands their team yet another loss.