I find it difficult to get over my strong misgivings about JJ Redick as a possible candidate for the Charlotte Hornets head coaching position.
Redick’s candidature has been covered with such gusto from Spectrum Centre that I find myself wondering where it came from and what his goals are. Could you track this down to the owner, Rick Schnall, who has reportedly attended Coach K Academy on a regular basis and is a Duke fan? Is it truly our desire for an owner to appoint individuals they like from their college basketball team? No, please. I thought we were going to move on.
Maybe this is a favour to help Redick’s reputation while Charlotte waits for their favourite candidate to finish the playoffs, or it could be to keep the league guessing. Alternatively, it’s possible that he is a sincere applicant who has impressed the owners. If that’s the case, I wholeheartedly endorse giving him a position as an assistant coach because I believe he possesses certain qualities that would make him an effective coach.
It’s easy to see why Redick seems to be liked by some people. He is the spiritual leader of informed NBA fans and is frequently heard on ESPN’s First Take as the voice of complexity and reason. He exudes charm and enjoys a stellar reputation among coaches and players in the league. Many people, besides Tar Heel supporters, could picture themselves lounging about at the bar with Redick, sipping beer and discussing hoops all night. Who’s to say David Adelman or Charles Lee wouldn’t make the same waves? The problem is that we don’t have the same understanding of them because they are actually NBA coaches.
