JJ Redick responds to Stephen A. Smith about feedback on LeBron’s potential retirement: ‘You did not play’
JJ Redick is again on ESPN’s “First Take” taking photographs at a fellow sports activities character, and Stephen A. Smith was the goal Tuesday morning.
The Denver Nuggets made the NBA Finals for the primary time in franchise historical past after sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers, and LeBron James floating retirement in his postgame presser was a giant subject on the present.
Redick, who spent 15 years within the NBA from 2006-2021, gave his tackle James’ feedback. Smith didn’t actually get it.
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Stephen A. Smith attends SiriusXM At Tremendous Bowl LVII Feb. 9, 2023, in Phoenix, Ariz. (Cindy Ord/Getty Photographs for SiriusXM)
“The whole lot he does is for a motive,” Redick defined. “And whether or not that is to place just a little stress on the Lakers to enhance the roster, whether or not that is to ship a subtweet to his teammates — no matter it’s, there’s a motive he does this.
“However I consider there’s some earnesty [sic] in these feedback. It’s not only for a calculated motive. He’s coming off Yr 20, age 38, an extended playoff run the place he’s needed to play a ton of minutes with an harm, and it’s simply human nature that you’d start to say, ‘Oh, perhaps I’m nearing the tip.’”
“Go forward, Windy,” Smith instructed Brian Windhorst, one other panelist on the present, when Redick was completed. “I imply, I listened to each phrase JJ simply mentioned. I don’t perceive a lot of what he mentioned, however I listened … I didn’t comprehend, I’m sorry.”
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“Effectively, you didn’t play, Stephen A.,” Redick replied. “You didn’t play. You don’t perceive athletic mortality. Three video games at, wherever, South Dakota, Winston-Salem State doesn’t rely.”
Redick later apologized for his feedback and letting Smith get to him. He didn’t wish to disrespect any of the colleges he talked about.
Smith did obtain a basketball scholarship from Winston-Salem State College in Winston-Salem, N.C. Nonetheless, a knee harm in his first yr ended his plans to play.
Dallas Mavericks guard JJ Redick (17) warms up earlier than a sport in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers on the American Airways Heart April 12, 2021, in Dallas, Texas. (Jerome Miron/USA Right now Sports activities)
However Smith nonetheless acquired his diploma and has made fairly the identify for himself, particularly within the NBA world, over time.
“I acquired a level, and I’m on TV with you. I have to be doing one thing proper,” Smith instructed Redick.
It wasn’t the primary time Smith has heard one in every of his friends name out the very fact Smith hasn’t performed the sport on the highest degree, and it might not be the final.
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James mentioned “we’ll see what occurs going ahead” when requested about his future within the league.
“I’ve acquired loads to consider, to be sincere. Only for me personally going ahead with the sport of basketball, I’ve acquired loads to consider.”
James will make $46.9 million for the 2023-24 season and $50.6 million the next yr. That may have him enjoying via age 40.
JJ Redick declares a sport between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Ball Area Oct. 26, 2022, in Denver, Colo. (Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Photographs)
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This season, he averaged 28.9 factors, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists, and he handled accidents, together with a foot ailment, that hampered him via the playoffs.
