During the Los Angeles Lakers dismantling of the Golden State Warriors on Saturday at the Chase Center in San Francisco, fans caught a moment between head coach J.J. Redick and superstar Luka Doncic.
Doncic — the franchise’s newest crown jewel — was walking towards the Lakers bench when Redick reached out and grabbed his arm. Not violently, but firmly enough that it got Doncic’s attention.
The two exchanged words along the sideline as Redick followed Doncic back to the Lakers’ bench. Doncic sat down and the player and coach continued to exchange words before Redick made one last comment and began walking back towards the scorer’s table. That’s when Luka popped up like a match had just struck gasoline.
Thankfully, Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt was nearby to witness the whole thing and he immediately rose from the bench clapping, loud and deliberate, inserting himself into the space like a seasoned diplomat breaking up a bar fight before the first punch flies.
Vanderbilt’s actions were subtle, but brilliant. It clearly saved everyone from turning a heated exchange into a headline that would have drowned out the Lakers 129-101 dominant win.
Neither Redick or Doncic was asked about the exchange after the game.
Ironically, the game took place on Doncic’s 27th birthday.
Coaches and superstars clash all the time. On the opposite sideline, Steve Kerr and Draymond Green have clashed several times this season alone. Phil and Kobe clashed. Riley and Magic did too. Fire is required to forge steel.
Whatever was said between the coach and superstar is likely squashed at this point, but the fan’s video shows that even the greatest are not exempt from temper’s flaring and sometimes you need a veteran like Vanderbilt to sense the moment and step between the two before things escalate even further.
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