Kendrick Perkins and JJ Redick haven’t always seen eye-to-eye. With both serving as ESPN contributors, they have often taken opposing sides on hot-button issues. In March, they notably clashed when Perkins claimed that MVP voters value Black players less. However, that doesn’t mean the two of them actively dislike each other.
Furthermore, Redick could be leaving ESPN in the near future. The 15-year NBA veteran has reportedly been interviewed by the Toronto Raptors during their head coach search. However, Redick is just one of several candidates being considered by the Ratpors and there is no evidence to suggest that he is a front-runner. That hasn’t stopped Perkins from sharing his thoughts on the potential hire.
Perkins Supports Reddick Interview
Speaking with TMZ, Perkins put his full support behind Redick potentially landing an NBA coaching gig. “I honestly love it,” Perkins said about Redick’s reported meeting. “One thing about JJ is that he knows his shit. Also, on top of that, every time you see a former player who played the game get an opportunity to sit in that seat, you love to see it. Obviously, he’s jumping ahead of a few guys who I would love to see get an opportunity that’s been waiting in line. You hate to see it because those guys have been serving as assistants for 15, 20 years. But I still wanna see a guy like JJ do it.”
Redick is certainly an unorthodox choice. Despite this 15-year career in the NBA, Redick has no coaching experience at any level. He has previously garnered interest from teams, such as the Boston Celtics, but opted to pursue broadcasting rather than coaching. That could put him at a disadvantage compared to some of the other candidates. Fellow outside candidate Becky Hammon spent eight years with the Spurs before taking a WNBA head coaching position. Kenny Atkinson spent four years as head coach of the Nets. Redick is the only currently-named candidate without any coaching experience on his resume. However, that’s not going to stop Kendrick Perkins from believing in him.
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