JJ Redick has been a breath of fresh air when it comes to talking heads on television. He has been very insightful and backs up his opinions with actual numbers instead of going by narratives that have been formed purely on eye tests.
He was on First Take on ESPN before Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors where the panel was discussing which team should be the favorite for the title and Redick picked the Celtics. Stephen A. Smith, on the other hand, picked the Warriors and he brought up Andrew Wiggins’ improved defense and the job he did on Luka Doncic as one of the main reasons why he feels the Warriors have the edge. JJ shut him down instantly on the Luka topic and Kendrick Perkins couldn’t hold his laughter as Redick flamed Smith.
(from the 3:23 mark):
Stephen A. Smith: “I gotta also take into account the elevation of Andrew Wiggins during these playoffs, from a defensive standpoint. Particularly the job he did against Luka Doncic, even though Doncic got his, numbers-wise.”
JJ Redick: “I knew you were going to bring this point up. I just want to be clear, Luka shot 51% against Andrew Wiggins when he was the primary defender.”
Stephen A. Smith: “I’m fully aware of that and I’m glad you tried to interrupt to make your point”
JJ Redick: “I’m just saying if I’m guarding someone and they’re shooting 51%, that’s good defense?….. No, I’m going to the bench if that happens. I can tell you that right now.”
Redick is right on point here. Wiggins did his best and did a fairly decent job on Doncic, but the Mavs star still pretty much gave him the business just like he did to the rest of the Warriors, as he averaged 32 points per game in the Western Conference Finals.
Redick must feel pretty good about his NBA Finals pick, too, with the Celtics having stunned the Warriors in Game 1 with a fourth-quarter avalanche. Another win in Game 2 for Boston would almost certainly be the death knell for Golden State.
