JJ Redick emphasizes bringing players' mental health issues to light
Former NBA player turned analyst JJ Redick has emphasized bringing players' mental health issues to light. Redick was one of the best 3-point shooters in college basketball and NBA history and has been one of the best voices through podcasts and broadcasts in the sport's history.
Redick invites players to his podcast and dives deep into their lives on and off the court. Mental health is one of the crucial aspects he talks about, whether on his podcast or debate shows. He believes players should be "humanized." Here's what he told Esquire about this:
"It's weird because, especially with older players, DeMar [DeRozan] is a great example—or the Joakim Noah episode. I get done with those episodes and I felt like I did a session of therapy. The player feels that way, too. We talk about it off camera."
He added:
But I think that's the goal of the podcast. To pull back the curtain, give you an inside perspective on players' lives and different moments from their careers. But it's really about storytelling and humanizing these athletes that are revered by so many people."
Athletes in the NBA or other sports have constantly garnered criticism for every move they make. They've been written off and hated for their career choices and game. Even as professionals, the scrutiny isn't easy to deal with.
However, players have started to talk about mental health openly. Personalities like JJ Redick using their platform have played a key role in this change, which could positively impact athletes around the globe. It could see critics resonate with players more and understand their story better, which is what Redick emphasized in the interview.
JJ Redick continues to shine as an analyst
Several players have opted to become analysts, but not everyone's a fan favorite. JJ Redick, meanwhile, is continuing to grow in this role and is popular among NBA circles. He gives everyone an insight into an athlete's life on and off the court. It's either through his own experiences or the guests he had on his podcast, "The Old Man & The Three."
Redick has also hit his stride as a broadcaster for ESPN. NBA fans keenly listen to his opinions as his breakdown of games is exceptional. Redick is technically sound with his knowledge of the game and is straightforward with his approach.
It is definitely the approach viewers appreciate as they tune into these shows to gain knowledge about the game, understand the advanced metrics and improve their understanding of the sport.