ESPN’s JJ Redick, who has proven so adept as a broadcast analyst, may soon get a chance to test that knowledge in a different fashion.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Monday night the Charlotte Hornets are interviewing the former Duke and NBA star for their head coaching vacancy. Steve Clifford stepped down at the end of the season to take a role in the team’s front office.
Redick has expressed an interest in a coaching role.
“There’s a strong desire for sure,” Redick said recently, about the possibility of coaching.
JJ Redick on coaching in the NBA: "There's a strong desire for sure."
(Via @pablofindsout)
pic.twitter.com/i4K7fK0NPD https://t.co/0EbizIEk6Z
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 22, 2024
Redick has maintained a high profile since his retirement as a player, with his work as an ESPN analyst, appearing on studio shows, hosting his own podcast and more recently co-hosting the Mind the Game podcast with LeBron James. He recently joined ESPN/ABC’s lead NBA broadcasting team, working with Mike Breen and Doris Burke.
In fact, if Redick were to take the Hornets’ role, it would make the second time in three months ESPN’s lead broadcast team had lost its color analyst to the NBA coaching ranks. Doc Rivers left the ESPN/ABC booth after just a few months on the job to take the Milwaukee Bucks’ coaching reins.
Mike Breen and Doris Burke pay tribute to Doc Rivers, who left ESPN for the Milwaukee Bucks, with Breen quipping, "We thank him for all his many weeks of service." pic.twitter.com/spTFRFnHjN
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 25, 2024
Although Redick has no professional or collegiate coaching experience, he’s a 15-year NBA veteran who understands the game and is young enough to relate to players. However, the Hornets job is not one of the NBA’s marquee head coaching posts. The franchise has always struggled to attract big-name talent and has made the playoffs only three times since 2002, failing to advance past the first round.
NBA fans generally believe Redick has what it takes to succeed, but think he would be making a mistake to take the Hornets job.
https://twitter.com/mikebtrippin/status/1782548944138232243
Am I crazy or is this a terrible idea for J.J.?
Dude could keep building a media empire or go lose a billion games https://t.co/R9XHv0f1q6— MavsHighlights (@MavsHighlights) April 22, 2024
JJ Redick going for a Hornets coaching job seems like such a high risk low reward situation. He’s already well liked as a media personality and has developed an authentic connection with lots of basketball fans, why risk your credibility for trying to save the Hornets? https://t.co/DdKK9FOKYP
— OG Anunoby Addict (@PlayoffBoundNYK) April 22, 2024
Please don't take him from the media…he's a much-needed voice of basketball reason and knowledge. https://t.co/Q5RplOyzcs
— David J. Smith (@davidjsmith1232) April 22, 2024
[Shams Charania, The Athletic]
