Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has disclosed an unconventional festive tradition in his household, revealing that his two young sons had to craft formal written arguments to secure their desired Christmas presents this year.
The Redick Family's Persuasive Christmas Challenge
Rather than simply penning a letter to Santa Claus, Redick and his wife, Chelsea, tasked their sons, nine-year-old Kai and eleven-year-old Knox, with writing a 'persuasive essay' justifying why their gift wishes should be granted. The unique parental test was designed to teach the boys valuable communication skills, with the reward being their hoped-for presents on Christmas morning.
"I thought my 9-year-old really knocked it out of the park," Redick proudly stated ahead of the Lakers' Christmas night game against the Houston Rockets. He explained that Kai had set his heart on a Meta VR headset, inspired by friends who owned the high-definition virtual reality gaming device. Knox, the elder brother, successfully made his case for an Apple Watch.
Embracing Technology with Parental Oversight
Redick admitted that gifting Knox the smartwatch marked a significant step. "We realise we have to start keeping tabs on him," the coach explained. "Obviously, he doesn't have a cell phone, but he has a cell number now, which is a big step for him."
The family is utilising the device's safety features, with Redick confirming location services are activated. He shared an endearing anecdote about their first experience with the new technology: "I thought it was the coolest thing. We went on our walk this morning with the dog and he was calling all his friends."
Recovering from Tragedy: The Family's Resilience
This Christmas held deeper significance for the Redick family, who are still rebuilding their lives after losing their home in the deadly Pacific Palisades wildfire in January. The blaze destroyed their property and much of their possessions, including an extensive collection of sports memorabilia cherished by the boys, who are both basketball fanatics.
In the wake of that tragedy, the family received heartwarming support from the basketball community. To help replace part of their lost collection, the boys were gifted signed, game-worn jerseys from NBA stars Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul. These gestures provided a beacon of hope during a profoundly difficult period, making this year's festive season and its unique traditions especially meaningful as they continue to move forward.
