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.
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.
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
[Shams Charania, The Athletic]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.