'I wasn't prepared for what I saw': Lakers coach JJ Redick describes devastation from Palisades Fire

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has confirmed that his family lost their home in a wildfire in Pacific Palisades earlier this week.

Redick became emotional when he spoke for the first time after practice with the Lakers on Friday about the impact of the Fire, who are currently scheduled to return to action on Saturday against Saint Anthony.

“I’m not sure (I’ve) cried or wailed like that in a few years,” Redick said.

Redick said the rental home burned down Tuesday while the Lakers were on the road Dallas. Reddick’s wife, Chelsea, and their two sons were safely away from the neighborhood, but Reddick drove to Pacific Palisades on Wednesday to see the impact of the fire.

“I wasn’t prepared for what I saw,” Redick said. “It’s total devastation and destruction. I had to take another route home, but I went through most of the village, and everything was gone. I don’t think you can ever prepare for something like that. Our home is gone.”

Redick was emotional at times as he pondered the fate of the neighborhood that has embraced his family since Redick became the Lakers’ head coach last summer. The recreation center where Redick used to spend time with his sons and prepare to coach them in the basketball league is completely gone, along with almost everything else.

The Reddick family was renting a house in Pacific Palisades while they decided where to settle permanently in Los Angeles.

“Everything we owned that was of any significance to us in almost 20 years together as a couple and 10 years of parenting was in that house,” Reddick said. “There (are) certain things that you can’t replace, that will never be replaced. … Material things don’t matter. My family and I have dealt with our own side, the individual side, the loss of your home, and you don’t wish that on anyone . It’s a terrible feeling to lose your home.”

Redick is back to work with the Lakers, who aren’t 100% certain they’ll play on Saturday night’s schedule.

Lakers home game vs Charlotte on Thursday was postponed, as was the home match in the same arena in the city center in between NHL‘s Los Angeles Kings and Calgary on Wednesday.

While the Kings left town on a long road trip, the Lakers are set to open a five-game homestand with a visit to the Hornets. They host San Antonio on Saturday and Monday, followed by visits from Miami on Wednesday and Brooklyn on January 17th.

Redick and the Lakers guard Austin Reaves both said the team hopes to play for a chance to provide distraction and entertainment for an exhausted city.

“It was sad, because this is my fourth year here, and LA has shown me nothing but love since the first day I got here,” Reaves said. “A few months ago I told my people that I see myself here forever after basketball, that I live here only because I enjoy it a lot.” Looking at pictures, videos, it’s just sad. People have to leave their homes, the Palisades are burning to the ground, it’s just a tragedy.

The NFL has already moved Los Angeles Rams‘ wild card playoff game against Minnesota in Glendale, Arizona, making the decision four full days before Monday night’s contest.

The LA Clippers they also enter the household in Inglewood, a short walk from the Rams’ SoFi Stadium. It is scheduled to host the Hornets on Saturday, Miami on Monday and Brooklyn on Wednesday.

Associated Press reports.

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