LOS ANGELES— The Los Angeles Lakers sit at 19–7 and tied for third in the Western Conference with San Antonio. They enter Christmas among the league’s best teams. Head coach JJ Redick has quietly returned to his “banshee” system during the Lakers recent bad patch.
JJ Redick Turns To Banshees As Lakers Hit Quiet Reset
Feb 1, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach J.J. Reddick talks to forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Lakers remain a flawed contender. They present sharp contrasts on both ends. Los Angeles has the sixth-best offense yet play at one of the league’s slowest paces. They post the second-highest true shooting percentage yet they also rank 23rd in three-point makes.
Los Angeles dominates close games. The team is 10–0 in clutch situations. Yet they generate few steals or blocks late. Their starters score more than any unit in the league. Their bench ranks last in scoring.
The Lakers rely heavily on elite offense. That approach masks their lack of athleticism. It also hides a bottom-10 defense, ranked 22nd. Eventually, the front office must add a defensive wing. For now, Redick has turned inward.
What “Banshee” Really Means
“Banshee” became internal shorthand during Redick’s first season. The term reflects an identity, not a scheme. It is also the name of a group chat with assistants Greg St. Jean, Beau Levesque, Ty Abbott, and Michael Wexler.
St. Jean and Wexler used the term in Phoenix. They applied it to players coaches trust. These players embrace physicality, effort, and unglamorous work. They prioritize winning above all else.
Redick often uses the label broadly. He has cited Toumani Camara’s defense in Portland as a stellar example. Redick has highlighted Jarred Vanderbilt’s defensive impact in this system in the past.
Vanderbilt’s return signaled the system’s revival this season.
Injuries Forced a Detour
Lakers’ lengthy injury list pushed Redick away from the banshee approach earlier this season. That shift hurt the defense. Vanderbilt opened the season in the rotation. He soon fell to the bench.
Redick stopped playing him as offensive struggles mounted. Defensive results worsened. The Lakers slipped to a bottom-three defense over a five game span recently.
The low point came in a blowout loss to San Antonio. Redick responded decisively. He reinserted Vanderbilt into the rotation. He also increased minutes for Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart.
Redick made those changes at Gabe Vincent’s expense. The adjustment is necessary.
Defense, Rebounding, and Renewed Identity
The Lakers now string together defensive stops. They close possessions with rebounds. They look more organized late in games.
Redick’s re-commitment to chaos and pressure gives Los Angeles hope. A top-15 defense feels attenable.
Vanderbilt has revived his season. He’s posted five or more offensive rebounds in consecutive games. He plays with renewed purpose.
As Redick leans further into the banshee system, the starters gain relief. Reduced workloads matter over an 82-game season.
Credit: © Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images