A wildfire broke out in the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday afternoon, and LA Lakers coach JJ Redick and his family were among those affected.
According to LA police chief Jim McDonnell, about 30,000 people in more than 10,000 households have been displaced by the wildfire. Redick, a resident of the area, told the media prior to the Lakers’ game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center that members of his family have already been evacuated.
The Lakers coach also offered his thoughts and prayers for his fellow residents affected by the wildfires.
“I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now,” Redick said. “That’s where I live. Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve evacuated. I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family. And from the sound of things … I know a lot of people are scared. So I just want to acknowledge that. Thoughts and prayers for sure, and hope everybody stays safe.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick shares a heartfelt message amid the Pacific Palisades fire in California. pic.twitter.com/1VUlz1O14Z
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) January 7, 2025
As more than 26,000 people and 13,000 buildings were labeled “under immediate threat” due to the wildfires, the LA Fire Department declared the need for mandatory evacuation. California governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency immediately following the disaster, and reminded his constituents to follow the evacuation orders from local authorities.
“Californians in the affected areas should stay alert and follow evacuation orders from local authorities,” Newsom posted on X.
On the ground in Pacific Palisades and getting briefed by @CAL_FIRE on the #PalisadesFire in Los Angeles.
Californians in the affected areas should stay alert and follow evacuation orders from local authorities ➡️ https://t.co/gIKZPSxfln pic.twitter.com/v8A4N9FK9i
— Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 7, 2025
JJ Redick fires back at Charles Barkley
On Dec. 19, LA Lakers coach JJ Redick said that the NBA’s national TV network partners, like ESPN and TNT, have not done a “good job of storytelling and celebrating the game.” He said that TV shows are among the reasons why the league is declining in ratings for the past seasons.
While Redick did not mention any names, he responded to NBA legend Charles Barkley, one of the co-hosts of the award-winning ”Inside the NBA,” who called the Lakers coach out about his job security on last Thursday’s episode of the show. Barkley also criticized the Lakers for their unimpressive performance thus far in the season, ranking sixth in the Western Conference.
Before the Lakers’ game against the Atlanta Hawks last Friday, the former NBA analyst-turned-coach bluntly responded to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer’s comments.
“I didn’t make it all the way through the clip, I got to be honest with you,” Redick said. “My resting heart rate is probably 64. I watched the clip, it was 64. Literally don’t care. I have other thoughts, but don’t care.”
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
