Former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick is back in the NBA, although his playing days are behind him. Redick is entering his first coach as head coach of NBA megastar LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Before starting his coaching career, Redick impressed the country with his basketball knowledge as a member of the media. Redick not only featured on his own podcast, The Old Man and the Three but also regularly appeared on ESPN.
The start of Redick’s coaching tenure has been no less impressive. The first-year coach was asked at the Lakers’ training camp whether he thought forward Rui Hachimura was going to take the “next step” this season, and his response left the reporter who asked the question stunned.
“Do you think Rui could take that next step for you guys?” the reporter asked.
Redick scoffed at the question and asked: “what is the next step?”
The reporter asked Redick to tell him what the next step entailed, but the head coach was having none of it.
“You tell me,” Redick responded. “You’re creating the narrative… IDC about the next step, I care about how he impacts winning.”
JJ Redick answered the Rui question beautifully.
Reporter: Do you think Rui could take that next step for you guys?
JJ: what is the next step?
Reporter: you tell me?
JJ: you tell me, you're creating the narrative… IDC about next step, I care about how he impacts winning. pic.twitter.com/sgr6WX5mXQ
— Devin. (@DevDock) October 3, 2024
It’s clear Redick’s career in the media has him well-prepared to handle these sorts of trap questions. The verdict is still out on if he has what it takes to win at the highest level.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.