Having people checking every little thing you do or say is part and parcel of being the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. JJ Redick knew that coming into his first head coaching job, and he’s had an interesting way of approaching things.
The former NBA journeyman and media analyst is generally known to have a level head on things involving the game, but he’s not perfect with his musings. There are instances when the man makes a take that will invite the ire of players, analysts, and fans.
One of his most recent hot takes involve him talking about how the media is spinning the season for his squad. Charles Barkley took special offense to his hot take that he had to step forward and shoot him down with a blazing take of his own.
Charles Barkley fires back at JJ Redick for his take on NBA ratings with Lakers’ performances
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Redick talks about how the league is performing with television ratings, saying that the league needs to find better ways to make the league more accessible and relatable for a non-NBA fan. In doing so, he indirectly blamed the sports media for failing to spin a more interesting take on the association that would have more people tuning into the games.
Charles Barkley didn’t like what the rookie head coach said one bit, based on his fiery response to his statement while covering the Timberwolves-Celtics game.
Per ClutchPoints’ Nathan Yasis:
“Y’all heard JJ Redick said something about me?” Barkley started.
“JJ, you better calm down, cause when you come for the king, you better not miss … He said something about we’re the reason people ain’t watching this crappy product we got. Yeah, us, like we’re out there jacking up 100 threes a night … JJ, you come for the king, you best not miss, cause I can get you, brother,” Chuck passionately continued.
“Remember, I got your Lakers games, you can’t hide them flaws they got. You just a dead man walking — they got rid of Frank Vogel who did a good job, they got rid of Darvin Ham who did a good job. You came out there thinking you were gonna change things with that same ugly girl you went on a date with – the Lakers stink.,” Barkley said.
It’s understandable why Barkley would make such an intriguing narrative. After all, the quality of the product (the NBA) is highly dependent on the quality of the basketball being played by the most popular franchises. It can’t be helped that the Lakers tend to be inconsistent with their form.
However, it’s also important to point out that the public’s viewing trends are rapidly changing. Streaming platforms are eating more into the watch time traditionally reserved for cable TV. Looking at things from this perspective makes the league’s decision to partner with Amazon more understandable.
While both sides have good arguments, both Barkley and Reddick want the NBA to thrive. Everyone—from the players to the association’s big wigs—must work together to bring more eyes into the league.
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