Broadcaster Michael Kay Rips JJ Redick For Lack of Professionalism During Intro Presser: 'Is That OK Now?'
New York Yankees announcer Michael Kay had a strong reaction to new Lakers coach J.J. Redick's press conference.
Redick unleashed some strong language on reporters in his introductory presser with the Lakers on Monday. It wasn't a good look for Redick, whose fiery temperament sparked question marks about his viability for the Lakers' coaching job (that and the lack of experience in coaching).
Michael Kay watched the press conference and had thoughts about Redick's approach on the microphone.
DENVER - Former NBA player JJ Redick works for ESPN at Ball Arena on December 25, 2023. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
Kay's message also implied a more significant issue in our culture, questioning the growing tolerance of offensive behavior.
"What exactly has happened to the coarsening of our society where a guy who went to Duke, a bright guy, just drops an F-bomb — Why? — on live TV," Kay shared on "The Michael Kay Show" on Tuesday.
The basketball news broke on a big day for Kay and New York baseball. Beginning on Tuesday, the New York Mets hosted the Yankees at Citi Field for the Subway Series.
"Is that OK now? Is that OK?" Kay said. "So maybe the FCC should change all these rules too... I mean, this guy just dropped an F-bomb — and it’s not just JJ Redick — but this is a man of authority right now. People use the F-word like it’s nothing now."
"It’s interesting, because there are different levels of media, so if you want to curse on a podcast, right? Everybody does. It is because, OK, that person listening has chosen to listen to that podcast, but people that were watching the Lakers broadcast live... And he drops that F-bomb," Kay added.
Kay is traditional by modern standards, but he's got a point on the declining standard of society.
Kay added, "I don’t want to be that old man, but I would ask JJ Redick: ‘Do you care that there might have been a 10 or 12 year old listening?’ Because I don’t want my kids to talk like that. I think a lot of society, they don’t care anymore."
Redick's critics have called his platform in the NBA commentary space "self-aggrandizing," while questioning his fitness for the Lakers' coaching job.
After hiring Redick, the Lakers embarked on building a veteran coaching staff around Redick to help him learn on the fly.
Redick also joked in his presser that he'll be ending his podcast with Lakers star LeBron James. Redick didn't shy away from his inexperience, mentioning it in his Monday presser from the Lakers' training facility in El Segundo.
Redick used coarse language after a reporter asked him about his reception throughout the coaching rumors.
"It’s a valid question and I’ve certainly heard everything," Redick, 40, said — reacting to the critics' noise.
Redick continued, "It’s been a really interesting six weeks or so just in terms of being part of the engagement farming industry... However, I don’t really have a great answer for your question because I really don’t give a f**k, honestly."
"I want to coach the Lakers. I want to coach the team. I don’t want to dispel anything. I don’t. I want to become a great coach in the NBA and I want to win championships and I want my players to maximize their careers. That is all I f**king care about."
Does that sound like a head coach to you?
The coach's use of F-bombs during the presser flopped with plenty of viewers. Atop the rocky presser, Redick was accused of using a slur on Monday, creating more bad buzz to kick off the Redick Era in LA. On Tuesday, Redick's camp told TMZ that the accusation of Redick's slur during his Duke days was not true.
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