The Lakers Hired a Podcaster… and Proved Why Systems Always Win

Every year around mid-March, I catch basketball fever.

I find myself doing what a lot of people don’t admit publicly…

Listening to hours of podcasts from former NBA players.

Not for entertainment. For insight.

Because when you listen closely, you start to realize something: The best performers aren’t just talented. They were developed inside powerful systems.

The “Podcast Coach” Everyone Laughed At

A couple years ago, the Los Angeles Lakers made a move that confused a lot of people.

They hired JJ Redick as head coach.

At the time, he was known for… podcasts.

People mocked it. “How do you go from podcasting to coaching one of the biggest franchises in sports?”

But if you understood systems, the move made perfect sense.

As highlighted in this Inc. article on JJ Redick Lakers hire:

Podcasting wasn’t the weakness. It was the proof.

It showed:

• communication
• understanding of the game
• ability to break down complex ideas
• leadership through conversation

The Moment That Explains Everything

And this is where it gets personal.

There’s a conversation between JJ Redick and Mike Krzyzewski that honestly moved me.

In that conversation, JJ talks about a moment where he almost quit.

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Think about that. One of the most disciplined, successful players — almost walked away, But what kept him going?

The system he came from The standard he was held to The voice of a coach that stayed with him

And here’s the real takeaway for 2026 and beyond:

That conversation is now publicly available. Anyone can access it. Anytime.

Including me. Including you.

When things get hard… When you don’t feel like showing up… When you’re questioning the process…

You can tap into the same level of thinking that built elite performers.

That tells you everything about where the real opportunity is today:

Access to systems, not just information

Fast Forward to Today

Now look at what’s happening:

• The Lakers are on a strong run
• Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball is a #1 overall seed
• Top NBA rookies like Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel are coming out of that same system

You can track it all through the NBA Rookie Ladder.

And here’s the wild part:

Coach K hasn’t coached in years.

So Why Is His System Still Winning?

Because great coaching isn’t about presence.

It’s about systems that outlive you.

Coach K didn’t just develop players.

He developed:

• thinkers
• leaders
• disciplined performers

People who could:

• adapt
• lead
• execute

…even when he wasn’t there anymore.

Let’s Bring This to You

If you’re:

• leading a team
• building a business
• raising a family
• trying to create long-term success

Then here’s the real question:

Are you building a system… or just managing people?

Most People Are Just Managing

They:

• solve problems in the moment
• give instructions
• react instead of build

And when they leave…

everything falls apart.

The Ones Who Win Build Systems

They:

• develop people
• create structure
• build habits
• install discipline

So that:

The people around them keep producing results Even when they’re not in the room

The Real Lesson Behind All of This

JJ Redick wasn’t “just a podcaster.”

He was: A product of a system A communicator of a system And now, a leader applying that system

Coach K isn’t “retired.” His system is still active through the people he developed.

If You’re Building Something Bigger…

If you’re serious about:

• developing people
• building a real system
• creating long-term results in your organization

Then don’t just consume content.

Build structure around it.

Implement it.

Turn it into something that scales.

If that’s where your head is at…

Book a meeting with me: https://aswandc.com/book

Final Question

Have you set up your life, your leadership, and your business in a way where the people who follow your system go on to do great things… even without you?

Because if the answer is no…

You don’t have a system yet.

Final Thought

In 2026 and beyond…

The advantage doesn’t go to the most talented. It goes to the people who understand, access, and apply the best systems.