JJ Redick could be so greater than one other empty hot-take machine

I by no means thought I’d say, “You recognize what, possibly J.J. Redick doesn’t suck,” however he’s surprisingly insightful in his post-playing profession gig at ESPN. The previous Blue Satan 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 in reality 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 troublesome for athletes and even sports activities media to not be aggressive. Determining who gained, 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 see it. One in all Redick’s greatest qualities as a basketball participant was his drive. The man performed within the NBA for 15 years, was rather a lot higher than his detractors had hoped, and seems to be equally motivated as a speaking head.

Redick utilizing his powers for idiocy

I believe what goes on throughout a taping of First Take is a number of the dumbest content material conceivable, and Redick is doing himself a disservice by partaking in it in any respect. He’s been a polarizing determine since faculty, and whether or not he’s aspiring to lean into it, or making an attempt to be the voice of analytics, viewers will really feel a method after a number of back-and-forths with Stephen A. Smith.

It’s akin to considered 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 massive. I perceive the cash and notoriety are good, however it’s beginning to muddle the main focus.

Is Redick the considerate former participant that gave Ben Simmons the secure house to offer his (albeit delusional) facet of how issues went in Philly, or is he a shrewd media character 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 could, it’s truthful 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 facet of sports activities media that doesn’t equate octaves to rankings. A whole lot of his arguments are fact-based, and analytics followers are at all times in search of validation. Having a former participant/present media member on their facet additionally might function a bridge to the longtime retirees who nonetheless suppose numbers nerds reside of their mother’s basement.

This present Icarus act jeopardizes that and can finally engulf him in flames — and dapping up Mad Canine after an anti-North Carolina rant is strictly the sort of spark that can ignite it.

I’d by no means rip Redick for shitting on UNC. He went to Duke. That is the way it works. My subject was being an adjunct to Chris Russo’s efficiency artwork, which is exactly what ESPN is in search of. Choose a facet and defend LeBron James like he’s household. If a robust 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 shouldn’t be that.

Redick could view his burgeoning success as a sign of his expertise, however it’s trying increasingly like what he’s doing with these abilities is losing them.