JJ Redick will pause his podcast with LeBron James as they develop a new player-coach relationship.
On June 20, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Redick to a four-year, $32 million contract to replace Darvin Ham, who was fired after losing to the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs.
Before securing their new position, despite having no experience, Redick and James launched the ‘Mind the Game’ podcast and quickly found prominence in the medium.
However, the former NBA guard revealed that he put content creation aside to focus on the drawing board this season.
“For the moment, and I hope it will be for a long, long time, I am excommunicated from the content space,” Redick said Monday. “There will be no podcasts.”
JJ Redick to end podcast with LeBron James after taking over as Lakers head coach
The Lakers hired Redick on June 20 after UConn coach Dan Hurley turned them down.
“We’ll do something when I get a break from what awaits us. I’ll be drinking out of a fire hose for the next month.”
The former Duke star played in the NBA for 15 seasons before retiring in 2021. His career included stints with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks.
After leaving the court, Redick found success as a commentator for ESPN and made regular appearances on First Take as an NBA analyst.
Redick was finally hired after a rollercoaster of candidate searches, during which UConn coach Dan Hurley reportedly rejected a lucrative six-year, $70 million offer to take the reins in Star City.
While many question his lack of experience, Reddick made his apathy towards misconceptions and concerns very clear.
James and Redick launched their hit podcast ‘Mind the Game’ earlier this year.
Redick also worked as a commentator and analyst for ESPN before accepting the Lakers job.
Redick played in the NBA for 15 seasons and six franchises before retiring in 2021.
“I’ve certainly heard it all,” Redick said in his introductory news conference. “It’s been about an interesting six weeks, just in terms of being part of the engaged agriculture industry.”
“I really don’t give a damn though,” he said. ‘I want to coach the Lakers. I want to coach the team. I don’t want to dispel anything, I don’t. “I want to become a great coach in the NBA.”
‘I want to win championships. And I want my players to maximize their careers.”
