JJ Redick ‘is a contender to replace Jeff Van Gundy’ after he was culled in latest raft of ESPN on-air layoffs… and ex-NBA star could ‘ask for the moon – and get it’ in contract negotiations
Former NBA star JJ Redick is being tipped to take over from Jeff Van Gundy after the veteran analyst was let go by ESPN – and reports suggest Redick’s rapid rise means he could ‘ask for the moon… and get it.’
Van Gundy, 61, is a former head coach of the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. He has spent 16 years at ESPN, building a reputation for his blunt and occasionally contentious opinions.
He has formed a popular partnership with Mike Breen and Mark Jackson. Together they call the NBA finals.
But after it emerged that he is among the victims of ESPN’s latest round of lay-offs, speculation has begun over who could take over. And Redick is among the names being mentioned.
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The 39-year-old spent 15 years in the NBA, playing for the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks before retiring in 2021.
Former NBA star JJ Redick is being tipped to take over from Jeff Van Gundy on ESPN
Veteran NBA analyst Van Gundy is among those being laid off during the latest round of cuts
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Since then, Redick has made a name for himself behind the mic, as an on-air analyst and on ESPN’s ‘First Take’.
Now Front Row Sports write: ‘Don’t count out JJ Redick. He’s had a meteoric rise at ESPN. If he’s fearless enough to challenge Stephen A. Smith on ‘First Take,’ he could ask for the moon – and get it.’
Theories have begun to circle about Van Gundy’s departure and Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo believes NBA chief Adam Silver ordered ESPN to lay-off the veteran analyst.
Russo – who this year signed a new ESPN contract to keep appearing on ‘First Take’ – believes outside forces are behind the decision.
‘I can’t fathom the idea that ESPN in these layoffs… would fire Jeff Van Gundy,’ Russo said on his SiriusXM podcast ‘Mad Dog’s Daily Bite’ on Tuesday.
‘You’re not going to convince me that ESPN woke up in the last two weeks, looked at the budget sheet, and said: “We gotta fire Van Gundy because we gotta save some money.” If that’s the case, fire Mark Jackson.
Redick spent 15 years in the NBA, playing for the likes of Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers
Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo believes NBA chief Adam Silver (pictured) could be behind the decision
‘ESPN will never admit it. They’re gonna say it’s our call. Nonsense. Why would they get rid of a great team? That team is a great team… you’re not going to convince me that that team, that everybody likes. Nobody doesn’t like that team.’
Mad Dog added: ‘That leads me to the conclusion that someone in the league office must’ve told ESPN: “I want Van Gundy out…”
‘We all know he’s biting. We all know he gets on the officials. We all know he doesn’t hold back with his NBA opinions.
‘So, if you’re asking me, little talk show host, who may not know a thing, this is just my opinion, Silver is the one who fired Van Gundy. Silver told ESPN: “I want him out.”‘
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