Directly moved from the role of TV consultant to that of coach, without going through the “assistant” box, JJ Redick knew that he would be the target of his former colleagues. And in particular the most talkative, like Kendrick Perkins, Shaquille O'Neal and of course Charles Barkley, who compares him to a… “living dead”!
Initially, it all started with a criticism of Redick in the media. It was 15 days ago, about audience drops. “If I'm a casual fan and I'm told every time I turn on the TV that the product sucks, I'm not going to watch the product”, explained the Lakers coach. “And that’s really what’s happened over the last 10 to 15 years.” I don't know why, and it's not funny to me… We don't have anyone who is willing to recognize that this is a great sport and that we should talk about it and celebrate it in a positive way. That doesn't mean we shouldn't criticize him. We must criticize it, but also celebrate it. No one does it, and those who do only have a small following on Twitter. And frankly, I would also say that everyone in our ecosystem is paying too much attention to what's being said on Twitter. And part of this talk about ratings is that people on Twitter are talking about it.”
The Lakers? “An ugly girl, and it’s impossible to put makeup on a pig”
Considering himself targeted by these comments, Charles Barkley stepped up to the plate. “Redick said it's because of us that people don't watch this crappy product that we have… Like we're the ones taking 100 3-pointers a night.”explains Barkley on the TNT set. “JJ, if you come to coach the “king”, you better not miss your shot. Because I won't miss you, my brother. Don't forget I'm watching your games with the Lakers. You can't hide their flaws. You are nothing more than a living dead person. They got rid of Frank Vogel who did a good job, they got rid of Darvin Ham who did a good job. But you came there thinking you were going to make a difference with the same ugly girl you dated.”
Provocative as can be, “Sir Charles” adds that the Lakers “are rubbish, and it’s impossible to put makeup on a pig”. Words which obviously reached Redick's ears.
“I received a message from someone after the match. I looked at my phone and it said something about Charles Barkley.” he says. “I was like, ‘Huh? But Greg St. Jean and Beau Levesque (Lakers assistants) showed it to me. I didn't make it to the end of the video, I have to be honest with you. My resting heart rate is 64. I watched the clip, it was 64. I don't really care. I have other ideas in mind, and I don’t care.”
