Blue Devil Country

Pundit Calls Duke Basketball Legend 'Looney Tunes' Match for Lakers

Duke basketball alum JJ Redick may be the favorite to land the Lakers job, but naysayers are popping up everywhere.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball guard JJ Redick
Duke basketball guard JJ Redick / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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Based on multiple reports the past few days, all-time Duke basketball scoring leader and retired 15-year NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick is the frontrunner to become the Los Angeles Lakers' next head coach.

RELATED: Two Duke Legends Linked to Lakers Head Coaching Search

And that doesn't sit well with some folks. After all, the 39-year-old, who has taken his popularity to new heights recently via his meteoric ABC/ESPN broadcast career and well-received Mind the Game podcast venture with Lakers superstar LeBron James, has no coaching experience outside of leading his elementary-age sons' rec teams.

On Sunday morning, Los Angeles Times' Bill Plaschke chimed in with harsh criticism of the potential hire. Here's a snippet of his "Lakers and Redick are a match made in Looney Tunes" column:

"The Los Angeles LeBrons appear to be closing in on the landmark hire of a bench boss who possesses but one legitimate qualification. JJ Redick could be the next Lakers head coach because he has a podcast with LeBron James. Period. End of resume...Their expected choice of Redick — virtually every expert considers him the heavy favorite — makes less sense with every syllable."

- Los Angeles Times' Bill Plaschke

Sure, JJ Redick wouldn't be the most traditional choice. But the former widely detested Blue Devil has become one of the most respected analysts in the game since his retirement three years ago.

There's no doubt his presence could create a new sense of excitement in L.A., helping sway fellow 39-year-old LeBron James, set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, toward remaining a Laker.

It's worth noting that the 2023-24 Los Angeles Lakers, who went 47-35 before losing in the first round of the NBA Playoffs under recently fired head coach Darvin Ham, employed two Duke basketball products in reserve forwards Cam Reddish and Harry Giles.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI for more updates on past Blue Devils and other Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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