The verbal sparring between Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick and TNT analyst Charles Barkley escalated Friday after the Hall of Famer questioned Redick’s job security and criticized his recent remarks about the state of the NBA.
Barkley took aim at Redick on Thursday’s “Inside the NBA” in response to the first-year coach’s comments last month arguing that an emphasis on three-point shooting hasn’t homogenized the league as much as the media narrative suggests. Redick also said the NBA’s national TV partners haven’t done a good job “storytelling” and “celebrating the game” in a way that would attract casual fans.
JJ, you come for the king, you better not miss. Because I can get you, brother.
Charles Barkley on Inside the NBA
Redick Dismisses Barkley’s Criticism
Redick, who spent 15 seasons as a sharp-shooting guard before transitioning to broadcasting and then coaching, largely brushed off Barkley’s barbs before the Lakers hosted the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
“I didn’t make it all the way through the clip, I got to be honest with you,” Redick said. “My resting heart rate is probably 64 [beats per minute]. I watched the clip, it was 64. Literally don’t care. I have other thoughts, but don’t care.”
Redick, who previously worked as an ESPN analyst, offered a nuanced take on December 19th about why NBA ratings have dipped in recent years. He pushed back on the notion that teams playing similar styles focused on threes has made the product less appealing.
I don’t think we as [national partners] have done a good job of storytelling, of celebrating the game. If I’m a casual fan and you tell me every time I turn on the television that the product sucks, well I’m not going to watch the product.
JJ Redick on December 19th
Lakers’ Struggles Fuel Barkley’s Rant
Barkley seized on the Lakers’ up-and-down season to question Redick’s coaching acumen and future with the organization. The Lakers sit at 19-14, 6th in the Western Conference.
“The Lakers stink,” Barkley said. “JJ came in there thinking, ‘I can make this thing work.’ The hell you can. You can put some makeup on that pig. Come on, man.”
Redick acknowledged the precarious nature of NBA coaching jobs before the season even started, telling ESPN: “There’s no assurances in this industry. I recognize that at any point in time, I could be let go. That’s a reality.”
Redick Avoids Engaging Further
Though measured in his public response, Redick seems content to let his coaching performance speak for itself rather than get drawn into a war of words with the outspoken Barkley.
This isn’t the first time a prominent Lakers figure has clashed with Barkley. LeBron James called Barkley a “hater” in 2017, questioning what makes his takes “credible” beyond having a TV platform.
As the Lakers look to climb the standings in a competitive Western Conference, Redick appears focused on tuning out the noise and proving the doubters wrong where it matters most – on the court.
