“We don’t do a good job of selling what the NBA is” – JJ Redick has a strong reaction to lack of Denver Nuggets coverage
Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to their first-ever NBA Finals, sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. Nuggets coach Michael Malone has repeatedly demanded more respect for his star player and his team during their run.
"We don't do a good job of selling what the NBA is which is 30 teams, 450 players, multiple superstars. The fact that people are now being like, 'Oh, I didn't realize Nikola Jokic was good.' Let's put him on TV more! Let's talk about him!"
— JJ Redick
https://t.co/7eLHQ8GS9i
Former NBA player JJ Redick agrees with Malone and thinks Jokic and his team deserve more coverage. Redick went on ESPN’s “First Take” to criticize the NBA media.
“We don’t do a good job of selling what the NBA is. It is 30 teams, 450 players, multiple superstars,” Redick said.
The recently retired Redick does not like the current narratives that dominate today’s basketball coverage.
“This is the way we have sold the NBA. I don’t love it,” Redick said.
Much of the coverage following games focuses on the loser or a certain group of stars in the league. For instance, the Lakers and New York Knicks dominated headlines despite neither team advancing to the Finals.
Redick reiterated that the media spends too much time on certain players and teams.
“After Game 1 of the Lakers Nuggets series. I was on TV for four hours and over half the conversation was about what the Lakers did. By the way Nikola Jokic had his third straight triple-double that game,” Redick said.
Does Jokic belong in the top-tier conversation?
Redick says two-time MVP Jokic deserves more praise and coverage for his incredible playoff performances.
NIKOLA JOKIC you gotta be kidding me https://t.co/vrxCjDIEwn
“People are saying now ‘I didn’t realize Jokic was good.’ Well then let’s put him on TV more. Let’s talk about him,” Redick said.
Jokic is averaging an astounding 29.9 points, 13.2 rebounds and 10.2 assists during Denver’s playoff run. He scored more than 30 points in seven different playoff games this season, including a 53-point performance against the Phoenix Suns.
Aside from Lakers talk, much of the conversation this week was centered on the Boston Celtics and how they are down 3-0 in their series against the Miami Heat. The Heat have made an incredible run as the No. 8 seed.
With one more win, Miami will become the second-ever No. 8 seed to advance to the NBA Finals. They would be the lowest-ever seed to win the title if they pull off the upset.
To Redick’s point, not many are documenting Miami’s incredible wins. Miami is on a miraculous run, but most of the coverage is on the Celtics collapse and how they should reshape the roster next season.