TOUGH SELL
‘He’s an acquired taste’ claims Stephen A. Smith on First Take about his ESPN colleague JJ Redick ahead of Lakers move
Redick is considered the favorite for the Lakers head coaching job
STEPHEN A. Smith isn't giving his ESPN coworker JJ Redick an endorsement for the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching job.
Redick has been the favorite for the job for months, but almost lost the position to Dan Hurley.
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After the Lakers' push for the UConn men's basketball coach was unsuccessful, it is expected that an announcement will come soon regarding Redick's hiring.
Stephen A. isn't keeping his fingers crossed though.
The First Take star appeared on Get Up on Wednesday morning and discussed his opinions about Redick's fit on the Lakers.
"This is what I will say about JJ Redick," Stephen A. said.
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"I think he’s a brilliant basketball mind, we got mad respect for him. We got love for him here at this network, I can tell you that much.
"But he is an acquired taste. You understand? I love you JJ, but he’s an acquired taste.
"He’s my cup of tea, he ain’t everybody’s cup of tea. And JJ does not suffer fools much. It’s hard for him to tolerate.
"Well, some people would perceive there being a lot of foolishness from time to time with the Lakers organization."
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The Lakers have made some blunders in recent memory, but Stephen A. made sure to insist that he wasn't calling the Lakers fools.
However, he wasn't convinced that Redick would enjoy dealing with some of the shenanigans in the organization.
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"We’ve told Kurt Rambis in the past, can’t be in those coaches’ rooms when you were a head coach and you were 100 games under .500. They don’t want to see you there," Stephen A. said.
"And so, you gotta take those things into consideration. Somebody like JJ, dealing with the myriad of things that coaching the Lakers will throw in your direction?
"Wow. That’s a lot to ask that brother to do."
Stephen A. also went as far to suggest another candidate for the Lakers job during Wednesday's episode of First Take.
The Detroit Pistons fired head coach Monty Williams after one season, and Stephen A. thinks the Lakers should consider him.
Stephen A. Smith's journey through media
STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and an executive producer on First Take having initially started working for the company back in 2003.
Smith has held various roles with the network, including hosting radio shows, SportsCenter contributions, and appearing on NBA Countdown.
He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010.
His began as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist.
Before that, Smith worked as a reporter with Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News, and the New York Daily News.
"I know we’ve been talking a lot about JJ Redick, but Monty Williams is available," Stephen A. said.
"That is a situation that the Los Angeles Lakers should look at. I would definitely say that as well.
"They should look at it…I think Monty Williams definitely should be a candidate for that job."
Williams is not a bad head coach despite being fired from two positions in the last two years.
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He likely should have never been fired by the Phoenix Suns after the 2022/23 season, and then was thrust into a dumpster fire with the Pistons this past season.
Regardless of who the Lakers choose, a decision should be coming up about their next head coach soon.
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