JJ Redick the head coach may be coming at the expense of JJ Redick the podcaster.
Los Angeles Lakers beat writer Dan Woike of the LA Times appeared this week on “The Dan Patrick Show.” During the episode, Patrick asked Woike whether he expects LeBron James’ podcast with Redick to continue now that Redick has officially become the new head coach of the Lakers.
“I can’t imagine it’s gonna continue,” Woike said of the podcast. “Sad, right? We might get a season finale episode … Who knows what’s going to happen?
“He’s gonna have to adjust,” added Woike of Redick. “He’s gonna have to learn how to be interested in quarter zips, like all the rest of these guys in the NBA on the sidelines now. He’s gonna have to learn how to focus on that energy. And I think that’s what the Lakers think they’re getting, right? They are not hiring a podcaster. I think they view it as they are hiring somebody who is a bright basketball mind, who is serious about this.”
James and Redick launched their two-person podcast together (entitled “Mind the Game”) back in March. It has been a very popular production in which the two analyze the NBA and show off their basketball acumen in the process. The podcast, which has currently gone for 10 total episodes (but none since June 5), was also seen as a precursor to Redick becoming the head coach of the Lakers. That would ultimately materialize with Redick formally accepting the job on June 20.
It makes perfect sense though why the podcast is unlikely to continue. NBA head coaching is absolutely a full-time job, especially for a beginner such as Redick (who comes with no prior experience). Continuing to podcast would take away from crucial coaching prep time and might also tip off opponents as to the team’s plans (as was once the case with the podcast of this current NBA star). Other than the potential for a farewell episode like Woike hinted at, we might just have to say that “Mind the Game” was nice while it lasted.
