Lakers HC JJ Redick faces big decision in first game of season

But a preseason game is different. Should that wanted moment happen in the inaugural game of the Laker's season?  

Redick has excited Lakers loyalists with his motion-style offense in the preseason. He's seen the shift in playstyle across the league and hopes to modernize this roster's tendencies to contend. He's been a self-declared "basketball sicko" in his podcasts. In every way measurable way, he seems ready to confidently take helm of this purple-and-gold ship.

More importantly, Redick seems deserving of the opportunity before him. He loves the X's and the O's of the game and prefers to talk about nuances of sport, not the narratives. Certainly, he doesn't need an extra circus of media and fans alike following him and asking him when he's going to play Bronny.

Bronny could someday carve a path for himself to legitimately contribute to this roster. The almost-fairy-tale story of him becoming an outstanding player in this league is one that fans want to see happen: from a high school All-American recovering from cardiac arrest at USC to earning a spot alongside his legendary father.

But is he deserving to be in a position now to take precious and valuable NBA minutes away from others, both on his team and in the league?

The fact of the matter is that very few late second-round picks get signed to fully guaranteed four-year deals before even playing a single Summer League minute. The moment the ink dried on that contract, the only logical explanation for the spectacle was nepotism. In a sense, Bronny was being set up for failure. 

Likewise, JJ Redick deserves to make his own decisions from the sideline and find the rotations and units that mold with his basketball coaching vision.

Instead, both will have the scrutiny, fanfare and media pressure around that inevitable moment from the jump.

For Redick, It's a tough decision to make — and one that will dictate how fans and media assess the start of the season season for Bronny and Redick.