Lakers Game Ball Debate: JJ Redick’s Coaching Milestone Vs. LeBron James’ Historic Wins Record Sparks Controversy

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin released a report recently stating that Los Angeles Lakers president Rob Pelinka presented a game ball to head coach JJ Redick after a win. Apparently, the report highlights a postgame moment following the Los Angeles Lakers’ 127-113 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 31, a victory that capped a strong 16-2 stretch and helped solidify their rise in the Western Conference standings. According to the report, Lakers president Rob Pelinka presented the game ball to head coach JJ Redick after the win, which marked Redick’s 100th career coaching victory. The gesture reportedly did not sit well with LeBron James, who also had a milestone night, as the win was the 1,229th of his career—moving him past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most combined regular season and playoff wins in NBA history. What really happened? Who should have gotten the game ball?