NBA News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

JJ Redick On Why He Wants To Become An NBA Coach

Originally posted on Fadeaway World | By Vishwesha Kumar | Last updated 5/9/24

In his appearance on the 'Road Trippin' podcast, JJ Redick delved into his aspirations of transitioning into coaching within the NBA. While he currently enjoys a career as a broadcaster and podcast host, Redick expressed a yearning for the deeper elements of the game that coaching encompasses.

"Look, I am currently a broadcaster and a podcast host of multiple podcasts and really just enjoying those things. Very fortunate to be doing this. The coaching thing, Channing and RJ, I would guess that there's a part of you, and it's a very, very small part of me, that misses playing, like actually playing basketball."

"There's a small part of me that misses shooting a basketball or coming off a screen and shooting, but it's a small part of me. What I really miss is the juice. I miss the action. I miss the competition. I miss leadership. I miss being on a team, like in a locker room, like physically in a locker room after winning a road game."

"You miss that stuff. There is a high that you get as an athlete that goes beyond passing and shooting and dribbling and well Richard never took charges, taking a charge or dunking a basketball."

"Those are all these little moments of actual game play. It's the other moments that I feel like we all miss as ex-athletes, right? And the part about coaching in general is a very general statement, is like the things that I miss and the things that I love doing, that involves coaching. That all is part of coaching. That's all." (1:04)

Acknowledging the small but persistent tug of nostalgia for the physicality of playing basketball, Redick confessed that what truly beckons him back to the court is not just the act of shooting or scoring points.

Instead, it's the intangible aspects—the "juice," as he calls it—that he misses the most. This encompasses the adrenaline rush of competition, the thrill of leadership, and the camaraderie forged within a team, particularly in the shared moments of triumph in the locker room after a hard-fought victory.

Redick reflects on the unique highs that athletes experience, transcending mere gameplay. It's not just about executing plays or making shots; it's about the emotional connections, the shared experiences, and the sense of purpose that comes with being part of a team. These are the aspects of basketball that linger long after retirement and continue to fuel his passion for the game.

For Redick, coaching represents a natural extension of his love for basketball and a means to recapture those elements that he misses most about being a player. It's about channeling his knowledge, leadership skills, and competitive spirit into guiding the next generation of athletes.

Coaching offers him the opportunity to immerse himself once again in the dynamic world of basketball, contributing to the growth and development of players both on and off the court.

As rumors swirl about potential coaching opportunities with NBA teams like the Lakers and the Hornets, Redick's words shed light on his deep-seated desire to reenter the realm of professional basketball, not as a player this time, but as a mentor and leader from the sidelines.

This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: