Charlotte Hornets Are Out of Their Minds Interviewing Podcaster JJ Redick For HC Vacancy

An NBA team is considering podcaster JJ Redick for their head coaching vacancy, prompting serious questions over whether it should be taken seriously as an organization. 

So, let's get to the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, who recently announced their intention to interview former player and current podcaster JJ Redick.

Even if people on NBA social media swear by it, being a great player doesn't translate to immediately coaching at a high level.

The news of Redick's planned interview became one of those head-scratching options — like the Texans interviewing Hines Ward for their HC vacancy before hiring DeMeco Ryans.

JJ Redick's appeal in 2024 lies mainly as a public figure, banking off the success of his podcasts and ‘hot take’ banter rather than any coaching prowess. 

DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 25: Former NBA player JJ Redick works for ESPN at Ball Arena on December 25, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

If anything, Redick still has plenty to prove in the media space, often drawing some bad reviews for his takes on ESPN and stiff commentary as a broadcast analyst.

Charlotte has no problem disregarding journeyman coaches or coaches with veteran track records to interview Redick.

With guys like Sam Cassell, David Fizdale, or Mike Budenholzer leading head-coaching buzz into the offseason, landing on Redick as a superior coaching prospect was a head-spinning decision by Charlotte.

After 15 seasons in the NBA, Redick launched his brand in the new age of NBA media, where players firmly control the narratives through their uber-popular podcasts. 

To their credit, some of those NBA podcasts aren't bad. 

Still, Redick has cashed in on that wave of popular shows, including his "Old Man and the Three" podcast and a recently announced podcast with LeBron James that breaks down the X's and O's of the game; the show's mostly about popular headlines.

Kudos to NBA players who have converted online clout into real-life opportunities. It is a commendable move by the savvy players but a dumb move by the teams that bite.

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