JJ Redick is Now an Analyst
Former Sixer JJ Redick lands a new gig with ESPN:
JJ Redick is joining ESPN as an NBA analyst a month after announcing his retirement following a 15-year playing career.
Redick will make his debut as a studio analyst on Nov. 3 during the game between the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks. Besides contributing to many of ESPN’s studio shows, Redick will also be an analyst on some games this season.
“After 15 years in the NBA, I am excited to take what I have learned on the court and be able to provide my insight and strong opinions about the game I love,” Redick said in a statement. “I am thrilled to have found a place on the biggest platform in sports, ESPN. I look forward to starting my post-playing career with such an incredible organization.”
JJ was a good quote and will be a good analyst. Rarely did we get canned crap from him at practices or after the games. And of course he started his podcast a few years ago and has done some quality interviews with current and former players.
My favorite moment, I think, was when something like 50 media members walked into practice one day and immediately began filming Markelle Fultz. “He’s only 19,” said an annoyed Redick, who was in his first Philadelphia season. I asked him if he was bothered with the Fultz media coverage and he said this:
“Yea, I mean, it is annoying. The guy’s 19, he’s working his ass off. I understand that fans want to see his progress, but this is maybe gonna be a longer process than we all hoped for. (Whether he’s on the court soon or not), obviously that’s not my thing. I don’t get the coming in here every day to watch him shoot pull-up jumpers. It’s a little obsessive.”
Redick then butted heads with Spike Eskin and some other folks over the years, as he had a couple of media adventures along the way. The whole point of me bringing up these tidbits is that hopefully he continues to be candid and interesting on ESPN. Never a dull moment along the way. He’s got a great basketball IQ and should contribute a lot to the broadcast.