A year ago, JJ Redick returned to Los Angeles with the Lakers and found his new home state in crisis. Southern California was burning-wildfires had scorched nearly 60,000 acres, including the Pacific Palisades neighborhood where Redick and his family had just begun to settle. Their home, like so many others, was gone.
Fast forward 365 days, and while the flames have long been extinguished, the scars-both emotional and physical-are still raw. The memory of that night lingers vividly for Redick.
“When I got back that night, it was literally 365 days later,” he said. “And as I’m driving past the 10, I’m like, ‘F-, dude.’
It just kind of hit me.”
That drive down familiar freeway exits triggered more than just flashbacks. It reignited a sense of purpose.
Redick didn’t just reflect-he responded. In the aftermath of losing his home, he’s become a key figure in helping rebuild the community that welcomed him just months before disaster struck.
With support from local leaders and fellow Angelenos, Redick launched LA Sports Strong, a community-driven initiative aimed at restoring the heart of the Palisades. Partnering with Steadfast L.A., the group is spearheading the redevelopment of the Palisades Recreation Center-a cornerstone of the neighborhood. The plans are ambitious and forward-thinking: fire-resistant buildings, expanded green spaces, and a revitalized hub where kids and families can gather again.
In January, a fundraiser held right in the Palisades brought in millions toward that vision. For Redick, it was more than a financial milestone-it was a full-circle moment.
Just as the NBA community had stepped up for his family, replacing the memorabilia his sons lost in the fire, he now had the chance to pay it forward. That same spirit of solidarity is now fueling a broader comeback story, one rooted in resilience and community.
And that theme of resilience? It’s showing up in Redick’s first season as head coach of the Lakers, too.
This has been no easy ride. Injuries, inconsistency, and the high expectations that come with coaching a team led by legends like LeBron James and Luka Doncic have tested Redick early and often. But through it all, he’s brought a calm, steady hand to a locker room that’s seen its share of turbulence.
When asked about coaching LeBron, Redick didn’t mince words. “I’ve enjoyed coaching him at the highest level - 10 out of 10,” he said.
“That’s not to say LeBron and I don’t have our disagreements, but I know with that guy, he’s going to put everything into this. And it’s been awesome to coach.”
That kind of mutual respect matters-especially when you’re managing a roster with this much star power and this many moving parts. At 41, LeBron continues to defy time, producing at an elite level even as the Lakers grapple with questions about their long-term trajectory.
Redick, meanwhile, is focused on the now. Keeping the locker room aligned.
Blocking out the noise. Building a foundation-not unlike what he’s doing in the Palisades.
There’s a through line here: Redick understands disruption. He knows what it’s like to lose something-and what it takes to rebuild. Whether it’s a neighborhood or a basketball team, he’s leaning on perspective, patience, and purpose.
And just like the community he’s helping to restore, Redick’s Lakers are a work in progress. But they’ve got a coach who knows exactly what it means to rise from the ashes.