I by no means thought I’d say, “You know what, maybe J.J. Redick doesn’t suck,” however he’s surprisingly insightful in his post-playing profession gig at ESPN. The former Blue Devil understands how the present iteration of the sport is performed in addition to any analyst for the community and takes a refreshing strategy to evaluating eras when juxtaposed subsequent to the previous heads. He additionally isn’t afraid to repeatedly insult Boston Celtics legends, which is excessive comedy.
Redick is polished on any medium, whether or not it’s on First Take, within the sales space, or behind a podcast microphone, and he does all three. He’s so good actually that I don’t wish to see him go full take artist. You by no means go full take artist, as a result of then it turns into extra about being loud than being logical.
I do know it’s tough for athletes and even sports activities media to not be aggressive. Figuring out who received, even when it’s not a race, is ingrained in people who find themselves (or cowl) winners or losers all through their careers. And you’ll be able to see it. One of Redick’s greatest qualities as a basketball participant was his drive. The man performed within the NBA for 15 years, was loads higher than his detractors had hoped, and seems to be equally motivated as a speaking head.
Redick utilizing his powers for idiocy
I feel what goes on throughout a taping of First Take is among the dumbest content material conceivable, and Redick is doing himself a disservice by participating in it in any respect. He’s been a polarizing determine since school, and whether or not he’s aspiring to lean into it, or attempting to be the voice of analytics, viewers will really feel a method after a couple of back-and-forths with Stephen A. Smith.
It’s akin to certainly one of your favourite musical acts collaborating with McDonald’s or Maroon 5. I don’t understand how I really feel about Cardi B getting this huge. I perceive the cash and notoriety are good, however it’s beginning to muddle the main target.
Is Redick the considerate former participant that gave Ben Simmons the secure house to present his (albeit delusional) aspect of how issues went in Philly, or is he a shrewd media persona that knew Simmons could be an enormous draw and agreed to ask solely softball questions? The reply is probably going a little bit of each. Be that as it might, it’s honest to surprise how a lot of the motivation is journalistic, and the way a lot is capitalistic.
Redick dangers his integrity the extra he’s with silly
There’s a grey space that Redick might occupy as a sane analyst who hops on First Take sometimes to disparage Bob Cousy, however largely is a presence on the aspect of sports activities media that doesn’t equate octaves to rankings. Quite a lot of his arguments are fact-based, and analytics followers are at all times looking for validation. Having a former participant/present media member on their aspect additionally might function a bridge to the longtime retirees who nonetheless assume numbers nerds reside of their mother’s basement.
This present Icarus act jeopardizes that and can ultimately engulf him in flames — and dapping up Mad Dog after an anti-North Carolina rant is strictly the form of spark that may ignite it.
I’d by no means rip Redick for shitting on UNC. He went to Duke. This is the way it works. My concern was being an adjunct to Chris Russo’s efficiency artwork, which is exactly what ESPN is in search of. Pick a aspect and defend LeBron James like he’s household. If a powerful phrase from the rant can ALL-CAPS’D for the promotional tweet, even higher.
There are precise progressive conversations about sports activities available, and J.J. is nice at these. The morning block of ESPN isn’t that.
Redick could view his burgeoning success as a sign of his expertise, however it’s wanting increasingly more like what he’s doing with these abilities is losing them.