By Rory Carroll
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Lakers head coach JJ Redick was emotional on Friday as he described the loss of his family home in Pacific Palisades to a raging wildfire that has reduced much of the Los Angeles community to ashes.
Redick’s wife and two sons were away from the home when it burned Tuesday, and he said he was stunned to witness the aftermath of the fire early Wednesday morning.
“I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. It’s complete devastation and destruction,” he told reporters after training.
“I went through most of the village and everything was gone. I don’t think you can ever prepare for something like that.”
Redick, who played 15 seasons in the NBA, moved to Los Angeles from Brooklyn after being hired as the Lakers’ head coach last season.
He was renting the home while he and his wife decided where they wanted to live long-term, and said they felt a deep connection to the community and pledged to help them rebuild.
“Everything we own that was of any importance to us after 20 years together as a couple and 10 years of parenting was in that house. There are certain things you can’t replace,” he said.
“But material things are everything … the Palisades community has been so good to us. The part we’re really struggling with is the loss of community.
“I recognize that people make a community and we will rebuild it and we want to help with that. But all the churches, schools, libraries, everything is gone.”
Los Angeles County was ravaged by two large wildfires this week fueled by high winds and dry conditions.
They have killed at least 10 people since Friday morning and destroyed or severely damaged more than 10,000 structures, authorities said, making it one of the worst natural disasters in California history.
I don’t want people to feel sorry for me and my family, Redick said.
“We will be fine. There are some people because of some political issues, some insurance problems, who will not be fine. We will do everything we can to help everyone who is unwell because of this.”
The Lakers postponed Thursday night’s home game against the Charlotte Hornets because of the fire, and for now the team still has to host the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.
