As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to enter the lion’s den in Oklahoma City for the start of the Western Conference semifinals, head coach JJ Redick isn’t interested in downplaying the opposition. In a candid pre-series media session, Redick bypassed the usual coaching platitudes, instead labeling the defending champion Thunder one of the most dominant dynasties in the history of the sport.
The task for Los Angeles was already steep, but with the news that superstar Luka Doncic has been ruled out for Game 1 due to a lingering hamstring injury, Redick’s “keep it 100” approach feels less like praise and more like a sobering reality check for his squad.
In Elite Company: The Statistical Dominance of OKC
Redick didn’t just call the Thunder “good”—he placed them on the NBA’s Mount Rushmore. Citing advanced metrics discussed in a team meeting, Redick highlighted the Thunder’s back-to-back seasons with a net rating of +10 or better.
According to Redick, the only teams to reach that level of sustained statistical dominance are the 1995-97 Chicago Bulls and the 2015-17 Golden State Warriors.
“You’re literally talking about two of the greatest teams of all time,” Redick noted. “The Thunder is one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history. That’s just the reality. They’re that good.”
By drawing a direct line between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder and Michael Jordan’s Bulls, Redick is ensuring his players understand that “business as usual” won’t be enough to survive the second round.
The Luka Factor and the Upbeating Climb
The Lakers are coming off a grueling first-round victory over the Rockets, but the momentum is currently in Oklahoma City’s favor. The Thunder are well-rested, having polished off a 4-0 sweep in their opening series, and will be playing in front of a raucous home crowd at the Paycom Center.
The absence of Doncic for Game 1 is a massive blow. Ironically, Doncic’s injury occurred in the same arena back on April 2 during a blowout loss to the Thunder. Without their primary engine, the Lakers will have to rely even more heavily on the veteran leadership of LeBron James and the secondary playmaking of Austin Reaves to keep pace with OKC’s high-octane offense.
Respect vs. Fear
Despite the high praise, Redick maintained that his team isn’t intimidated. The goal of the comparison wasn’t to concede defeat, but to sharpen the Lakers’ focus. Young contributors like Jake LaRavia have already echoed this sentiment, stating they have “zero fear” of the matchup.
“I think our guys recognize that and respect that, and we know what kind of task we have in front of us,” Redick said.
The Road Ahead
The Lakers face a Thunder team that has become the gold standard for modern NBA roster construction—young, athletic, and disciplined. For Redick, a first-year coach who has already earned plaudits for his tactical adjustments against Houston, this series represents the ultimate litmus test.
If the Lakers are to pull off the upset, they will have to do more than just play well; they will have to dismantle a juggernaut that their own coach believes is chasing the ghosts of the ’96 Bulls. Game 1 tips off Tuesday night in Oklahoma City.
