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link: https://ftw.usatoday.com/2023/05/jj-redick-raptors-interview-head-coach
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Raptors reportedly interviewed J.J. Redick for their head coach opening
Prince J. Grimes like follow
May 10, 2023 5:16 pm ET
Two years removed from last being on an NBA roster, J.J. Redick is apparently ready to wear a new hat in a post-playing career that already includes television analyst, commentator and podcaster.
Redick interviewed for the Toronto Raptors head coaching job this week, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday, adding that Redick was part of the first round of interviews. While it’s unclear how serious a candidate the 15-year pro actually is, it seems a bit premature for someone who hasn’t sat on a bench as anything other than a player.
According to Wojnarowski, Redick had been a target as an assistant coach for several teams, including the Boston Celtics, since retiring in 2021. He went the media route in the time since and has demonstrated through his various endeavors just how much he knows and loves the game.
However, with a few exceptions that are usually Hall of Fame players, there’s typically some coaching experience needed before landing a head job in the NBA. Look no further than the dozen-plus other reported candidates for the Raptors opening, like current Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin or Milwaukee’s Charles Lee or even Becky Hammon, who won a title in her first year as head coach of the Las Vegas Aces after eight years on the Spurs’ bench.
Without that experience, Redick isn’t necessarily destined to fail. But the path to becoming the next Steve Kerr is a lot more unlikely on a team like Toronto without a transcendent star like Stephen Curry. The chances are better that he ends up as the next Steve Nash, who flamed out in Brooklyn and took a lot of blame for the team’s shortcomings whether he deserved it or not.
I would imagine this interview was more about Redick gaining familiarity with the process, and Toronto gaining familiarity with Redick for down the road when he’s actually ready to do the job. But who knows? "Sean sparks like John Starks, nah, Sean ball like John Wall" - Rest In Power Forever Sean Price.
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