Photo: Los Angeles Lakers/X

Los Angeles Lakers rookie head coach JJ Redick has adopted a unique perspective as he takes on one of the most scrutinized coaching roles in the NBA. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the roster, the Lakers are always expected to win, making the pressure on Redick immense.

Redick, who was hired as the Lakers’ head coach this offseason, has no prior coaching experience, but he has found a powerful source of motivation in an unlikely place: the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. In an interview with Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports, Redick recalled a memorable scene from the 2001 series about World War II soldiers.

“There’s a scene in Band of Brothers where they’re in the trenches and one of the soldiers, who’s really scared, asks the other guy, ‘How are you able to go out and fight? You don’t seem scared?’” Redick shared. “And he says, ‘It’s because I’m already dead.’”

Redick reflected on how that quote resonated with him as he stepped into the head coaching role for the Lakers. “When I took this job, I already died,” Redick admitted. “So, I’m well aware of this profession, but it’s not even on my radar. I’m already dead.”

For Redick, this mindset is a way to shield himself from the inevitable scrutiny that comes with coaching a high-profile team like the Lakers. The profession is known for its volatility, with coaches often becoming the target of criticism when the team falls short of expectations. By adopting a stoic outlook, Redick is preparing himself to handle the intense pressure of leading the Purple and Gold.

Despite the challenges, the Lakers have started the season strong under Redick’s leadership. The team has won its last two games and is currently 7-3 in their last 10 contests. With a 20-14 record, Los Angeles is firmly in the playoff picture, sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference.