(Photo : Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) DENVER, COLORADO – Former NBA player JJ Redick works for ESPN at Ball Arena on December 25, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.
JJ Redick has a lot of doubters as he starts his new role as the Los Angeles Lakers head coach this season.
In a recent ranking done by CBS Sports of all NBA head coaches for this upcoming 2024-25 season, Redick has been listed at the bottom spot out of 30. According to writer Sam Quinn, the decision is mainly because of the first-year coach’s “lack of experience.”
“No, I am not prepared to offer a strong opinion on the coaching future of a podcaster. There just isn’t enough data to say much of anything here. Redick takes the bottom spot purely on lack of experience,” the sports journalist wrote.
The 2006 first-round pick of the Orlando Magic launched his podcast on Yahoo! Sports in 2016 and has been successful in the podcast space. Before taking on the top role with the Lakers, he launched a podcast with LeBron James in March 2024, “Mind the Game.” The show only had nine episodes before it ended so Redick could focus on his new role as head coach.
“For the time being, and hopefully it’s a very, very long time, I am excommunicated from the content space,” the 40-year-old new coach told ESPN in June.
“So there will be no podcast. I’m done with podcasting for now.”
This is his first time coaching in the NBA. After retiring in 2021, he entered the broadcast industry, calling NBA games for some networks while also hosting his podcasts.
Many questioned the Lakers’ decision to sign him as a head coach without experience. However, general manager Rob Pelinka defended Redick and said he believes in the former player’s “unique perspective and philosophy on basketball.”
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JJ Redick’s NBA Career
Redick played 15 seasons in the NBA, from 2006 to 2021. He had had a solid career and was known for his shooting ability, particularly from three-point range. He shot 44.7% from the field and 41.5% from three in his career.
While he didn’t collect individual awards, he still left a mark on the league. He was among the top 15 in NBA three-pointers at the time of retirement and made the playoffs for 13 consecutive years.
He was named the Naismith College Player of the Year in 2006 and was a two-time All-American First Team (2005 and 2006). He was also a two-time ACC Player of the TYear (2005 and 2006).
Redick’s first game as the new Lakers head coach will be on October 22 versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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